Red Hook Summer

Of Red Hooker Summer and Spike Lee, the Critical Film-artist
Right now I am meditating upon Spike Lee's film "Red Hook Summer." This film--preaches red, walks red, uncovers an evil church red "rat" that needs to be corrected by the community. The implicit recognition that something is very wrong in the African American church experience is this film's thesis and its "rat." Mookie (Spike Lee), i.e., knows that; therefore, he will deliver pizza, but he will not attend "Old Timers Day." And it seems Spike Lee intends to right the wrong by telling and giving voice to an African American story that is often silenced by church members. Loving preachers can be flawed and one of their flaws may be molesting boys. The film calls for a right of the wrong that has been placed in a community. Oh it seems that the wrong is a poor community; it seems that the wrong is a vegan man-child who may not believe in God. In the inner sanctuary of the wrong, the wounded (as well as those who inflict the wounds) function. "Red Hook Summer" begs for a response. This...

A return to Brooklyn
Spike Lee and Woody Allen are the only film makers that come to my mind who are in love with the cities that they live in. Their movies are not just about the characters but also about the city - mostly New York and its vibrancy. While Allen has recently flirted with Europe, Lee remains a faithful New Yorker and returns to his Brooklyn roots with Red Hook Summer.
Red Hook Summer abounds with characters, their observations through dialogues, often include monologues which help Spike Lee create a very watchable film but with limitations.

Flik (Jules Brown) is a 13 year old teenager whose mother, Colleen (De'Adre Aziza), brings him from Atlanta to New York to spend a summer with Bishop Enoch (Clarke Peters), the grandfather with whom both Flik and his mother are estranged from.
Enoch is a hardcore Baptist preacher who runs a little church facing financial trouble known as Lil' Piece of heaven and is hellbent on teaching Flik the importance of God- Jesus. Flik...

AMATEUR HOUR
I remember a day when a Spike Lee movie would come out and critics would fall all over themselves to talk about what a genius he was. I would see these same movies and think they were well made and interesting but nothing near as special as they seemed to think they were. Then things began to change. Lee's new movies weren't getting near the attention his earlier works did and he became known more for his outrageous comments than his films. If he continues to make movies like this I can see that continuing.

REDHOOK SUMMER takes place in the now familiar Lee territory of Redhook, Brooklyn. Young Flick is forced by his mother to arrive in Redhook to spend the summer with his religious grandfather Enoch, a pastor of a church there. Coming from a middle class home where he has his own food and non-stop use of his Ipad 2, Flick grumbles about wanting to go home and hates the situation he's in.

Enoch doesn't cow tow to the boy and makes the food he normally does. He...

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The Amazing Spider-Man (+ UltraViolet Digital Copy)

The Amazing Spider-Man - point by point
I read a lot of reviews for this movie before watching it myself. In the end, they all boiled down to a few basic criticisms, which I kept in mind as I made my own appraisal. Here are the major problems people seem to have had with Marc Webb's "Amazing Spider-Man", along with my responses.

1. The reboot was too soon.

This more or less depends on your point of view. True, the last Spidey movie was in 2007, a mere five years ago - more than long enough to warrant another Spider-Man film; not exactly long enough to call for a complete reboot. On the other hand, I think a lot of people would agree that it's been more like eight years since the last GOOD Spider-Man film. I loved Raimi's work with the character, though I do criticize him on some minor points. But in the end, he really dropped the ball with Spider-Man 3, running a lot of good characters into the ground and painting himself into a corner with two hours of very messy plotting. In the end, whether a reboot...

Fitting Reboot of a Comic Legend
After watching the first five minutes of The Amazing Spiderman, I knew I was gonna like it; after the first hour (which includes a lot of exposition without being tedious) I actually preferred this one to the Raimi versions mainly cuz I think it possesses an intensity and believability that the previous films lacked.

Marvel seems to be producing more mature, rebooted versions of all their super-hero series and I actually prefer this variation on the Spider Man story as well, especially the disappearance of the pointless Mary Jane obsession (which always made me respect Spidey a little less). I suspect that a more scientifically savvy audience appreciates an ever evolving origins story and I also enjoyed the initial dealing-with-new-superpowers interlude which was very amusing and again just seemed a much more realistic reaction from Peter Parker to his new abilities. Exceptional performances for Peter and Gwen are what truly make this production stand out from every other...

I Miss the Old Peter
I miss the old Peter Parker, from the old comics. The one who was actually a nice guy. The one who acted like a jerk for just one panel of his origin story, and then spent the rest of his life doing good. The one who had a tough life, but who was too busy worrying about others to wallow in self pity. That guy was pleasant company. And if I can't have him, I'll take Toby McGuire.

Just once, I'd like to see a Spiderman movie where Peter keeps his mask on and does not reveal his secret identity, and/or show off his superpowers, to everyone he meets and her dad too. But of course, he must get this credit and applause, because it really is all about him.

Just once, I'd like to see a superhero movie, where the film-makers do not need to resort to the cheap ploy of threatening an entire city with destruction (which we know ain't going to happen). Why are not the lives of individual human beings enough of a threat to sustain our interest and sustain a movie? The...

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The Yards [HD]

TRAIN OF THOUGHT
Director James Gray has elicited some marvelous performances from a really eclectic cast: Oscar winners Ellen Burstyn and Faye Dunaway play domestic characters with the professional verve they always bring; Oscar nominees Charlize Theron, James Caan and Joaquin Phoenix are superb in their roles as Wahlberg's cousin, best friend and uncle-in-law; and then we have Mark Wahlberg, Steve Lawrence and Tony Musante rounding out the cast. This is Wahlberg's shining moment; he has none of the macho bravado usually associated with him, and his performance is complex, multi-faceted and courageous. Caan is also brilliant, and someday he'll get the Oscar he deserves. Phoenix also shows great emotional depth in his role as a borderline sociopath. Theron proves that she is not just a pretty face, but a capable and engaging actress. The film's slow pace is in line with the psychological nuances of the film. I'd never heard of it until I saw a trailer on another video. An outstanding film...

FORGET "GLADIATOR" , TRY "THE YARDS"
After LITTLE ODESSA in 1994, THE YARDS is quite an impressive second movie of american writer/director James Gray who plays in the same league than Martin Scorsese, Francis Coppola or Sidney Lumet. Furthermore, James Gray has given two important roles to James Caan and Ellen Burstyn and a choice like this can only be made by a clever and talented person. If you are not so fond of Ridley Scott's bodybuilt gladiators, try for a change a movie with more brains than muscles. In the long run, it gives more satisfaction.

THE YARDS is a movie about ambiguity, a mood created firstly by the images of the movie, cold and almost metallic for the exterior scenes but warm and always red, brown or yellow for the interior scenes. This antagonism is also underlined by the recurrent theme of the electric lights which suddenly plunge the characters in a black no-man's land several times during the course of the movie.

James - Frank Olchin - Caan is the most ambiguous character of the movie. He...

GRITTY DRAMA
After spending time in prison for auto theft, Leo (Mark Wahlberg), decides it's time to go the straight and narrow.

Returning home from prison, Leo, takes a job at his uncle Frank's (James Caan) company working on contracts with the New York City subway system.

Once on the job, Leo, meets his uncle's top guy (Joaquin Phoenix), and before long, he realizes his uncle is involved with corruption, and payoffs.

"The Yards" is a gritty drama that sports an excellent cast;Mark Wahlberg, Joaquin Phoenix, Charlize Theron, James Caan, Ellen Burstyn, and Faye Dunaway. Although, slowly paced, the film puts a smart, and interesting spin on big city corruption. Very much a character driven film, "The Yards" will disappoint those looking for fast action. But anyone looking for an intelligent, well acted movie will be pleased with this one.

Nick Gonnella

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Stoked and Broke

Stoked on this film
Well done and epic surf footage. I like how the boys traveled and told their story along the way. NICE!

Great surf flick
Stoked and Broke is a great little surf flick that harkens back to the good old days that tends to be lost on most of todays high-flying surf videos. Low budget and pure to the intent of riding waves (fun), this movie is a nice way to spend an hour.



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Angelina Ballerina: Superstar Sisters [HD]

So cute
I have two little girls and this is a collection of sweet little stories about sisters that my girls just loved.

Sibling Fun!
"Superstar Sisters" is the latest of the Angelina Ballerina DVD's. My kids both adore Angelina so they were jumping up and down (literally) when they saw I had a new DVD for them to watch.

This one is about Angelina and her sister Polly. It's funny because my daughter Paige is 3 and calls her 4 year old brother Reed "sister" so this was another good opening for me to have a conversation with them about the difference between brother and sister! As with my kids, the siblings have a conflict when Angelina breaks Polly's favorite music box. A great lesson is taught about love and forgiveness. There are several other sister stories, each with their own unique lesson.

I always appreciate the moral lessons and clean humor found in Angelina stories. The one thing that can be confusing is that there is just one title on the cover (Superstar Sisters) which make it seem it is one movie. However, it is actually several small stories. The overall plot still involves...



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Chilly Christmas [HD]

An adorable family movie
I watched this movie with expectations of it being mediocre but I was surprised. Some parts of the movie are quite funny and you will absolutely want to take Chilly Christmas (the dog's name) home with you forever. The rest of the characters are also quite endearing, although I found myself thinking Tom Arnold made somewhat of a lackluster villian.

The basic plot is that a boy, Bobby, (maybe 10?) and his father live in what I believe is the small, fictitous town of Sunshine Beach, California. Somewhere along the line dad (an above average police detective with a stellar apprehension rate) has become a widower (mom was also a police officer) and he and his son are clearly still trying to cope with the loss even though you get the idea it has been a while since mom's passing. The story opens on Bobby at the Christmas tree opening his presents. Except the puppy he was to receive has escaped and a chase around the Christmas tree ensues. The dog becomes Chilly Christmas (the...

Cute
I found it to be a slow moving film. But, what's not to like about a boy and his dog....especially during the holidays?

Chilly Christmas
So happy to have finally found this - been looking everywhere !
Corny but great family movie and the dog is great !!

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Party Crashers [HD]

Now THATS what I call fair and balanced
I'm open minded about the Tea Party, but I've been very skeptical of the way they've been portrayed in the media. This movie was as a fair a look at the movement as you could ask for. It's just the facts. Whether good or bad, it let's you make up your own mind about them. I personally found myself liking them more after the film than before it, even if I don't consider myself one of them.

More journalism should be approached this way. This is a movie anyone interested in the Tea Party should see!

Great educational video
Wow! Finally my curiosity is satisfied about the Tea Party. I really didn't understand what they were all about. This was a very balanced and I thought, honest and easy to understand history of the movement's beginnings.

The real deal
Finally a good movie about the tea party. We see a lot of liberal media bashing but this movie tells the history of the tea party and explains the issues clearly. Good watch, highly recommended.

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Refusenik

Great documentary
Very important part of the history that should not be forgotten. This documentary should be a part of history lessons on former Soviet Union and human rights movement.





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Rabbit Hole [HD]

Searing, Sublime And Surprisingly Subtle--An Unforgettable Tale Of Grief And Survival
When I heard that John Cameron Mitchell, the mad genius behind the explosive "Hedwig and the Angry Inch," (which he wrote, directed and starred in) was taking the directing chores on an upscale adaptation of a Pulitzer Prize winning play--I thought to myself, this could be interesting. Mitchell, however, shows incredible restraint with "Rabbit Hole"--a searing drama about loss and survival. While opening up the play with this film version, he really didn't have to stray too far from the exquisitely moving source material. Playwright David Lindsay-Abaire was on hand to bring his own words to the big screen, and Mitchell puts his trust in those words! But beyond that, a cast led by Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart lend this piece a real life urgency and poignancy. Although infused with sadness, "Rabbit Hole" achieves its quiet power in depicting our choice to live--even when all our instincts tell us otherwise.

In short, "Rabbit Hole" is a survivor's story. Set eight months...

Sorrow Beyond Measure
"Rabbit Hole," based on the play with the same name by David Lindsay-Abaire and directed by John Mitchell Cameron, is an almost two hour insightful commentary on grief, more specifically the grief of two parents who have lost their four-year-old child because of an accident. He chased his dog into the street and ran in front of a car. The film opens eight months after the accident. Howie (Aaron Eckhart) and Becca (Nicole Kidman) are the parents consumed with their loss. They try practically everything-- going to a support group for parents who have lost children, getting rid of their son's clothes, letting a relative (at first) keep the dog, putting their house on the market for sale-- in an effort to get through what has to be the tragedy of all tragedies for parents, the loss of a child. Of course the question on every viewer's mind is whether Howie and Becca's marriage-- they obviously love each other very much-- will survive the horror they find themselves in.

The film...

Outstanding performances in a moving story about the strains of dealing with grief and loss
Rabbit Hole is not the sort of movie that people generally pick as something to watch as it deals, in fairly unflinching terms, with an issue most people hope they'll never face: what happens to people after the loss of a child. It is, I think, a good thing then that Rabbit Hole has some big-name actors - Nicole Kidman, Aaron Eckhart, Dianne Wiest - who may attract people's attention to the film, because it is very much worth seeing.

Becca (Kidman) and Howie (Eckhart) Corbett are a married couple in pain due to the loss of their only child, Danny, who died eight months ago when he ran out into the street and got hit by a car. They're attempting to cope but not doing very well at it, and in fact their attempts to cope are driving them apart. Becca's way of coping is in trying to escape from her grief and from the memories, avoiding anything that reminds her of Danny, while Howie clings to his grief and to everything that does remind him of Danny. And if these strains were...

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Cell Count

YOU ARE APPRECIATED AND WE THANK YOU
I enjoyed the horror/mystery/thriller aspect of the film, even some of the plot details. The problem is the execution was horrendous. Sadie (Haley Talbot) has a deadly new disease. Her doctor (Christopher Toyne) claims he can cure her in three weeks if she submits to an experimental procedure in a remote secure location. In order for her husband to be able to go with her, he agrees to contract the disease and undergo treatment. The doctor has had the disease and has been cured.

The facility has that sanitary institutionalized feel to it. There are several other patients there also. You immediately realize things are not what they seem and you want to know more about the cure.

The acting was acceptable for a "B" horror film. The script needed some polish. For effect, the camera was a bit jerky, for that live feel and during crisis scenes, the voices were removed which I found took away from the film more than added. Sometimes more is more.

F-bombs,...

Great piece of horror/action!
I've been excited about this project for months and now I've seen it and can finally say that it's great. Excellent special effects and director Todd Freeman has real talent. The movie ends on a cliffhanger that only serves to wet our appetites for Cell Count 2, which is already in pre-production.

Decent.
Hearing about the part with the dog and the thing with an anus for a mouth got me interested in watching this movie. There were only a few good parts in the movie, the story so slow, and nothing is really explained. All you hear is "The cure" "the disease" nothing about the origins of "The cure" which hopefully in part 2 which they are working on they will explain what those two things are.

The story could have been told better and some details to what "The cure" is and how they found it and what the disease actually is would have been a good thing to flesh out the story some. This is a decent movie if you want to kill some time.

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Bloodsuckers From Outer Space

Out for blood...
Before we begin I must tell you my favorite films of all time include The Toxic Avenger, Pink Flamingos and Frankenhooker. The badder the acting, the badder the effects the better the film. With that said, and if you like the other films I mentioned above then Bloodsuckers from Outerspace is right up your alley ,er, in your gutter. It's supposed to be a spoof of the zombie horror/sci fi alien genre (even if the alien space wave attacking the people is oderless,invisible,tasteless and there is only a wind gust to signify the danger???) but that's hard to read with the way the story is told. You gotta be quick to catch it...like when being chased by Bloodsuckers the protaganists jump in the car and it fires right up(that never happens when zombies are chasing you) and our damsil tells us "First time, every time". The comedy is truly funny, not one concern about who might get offended or cry(so offensive I won't even repeat my favorite lines in fear of being censored). The make up is god...

Good Cult Zombie Movie But I Have Seen Better
My favorite movies are good cheap low budget horror movies like this one and boy this one is cheesy,"but good." This invisible presence invades this small country town. killing the towns people and turning them into zombies. I love the effects that they use in this movie. The vains in the zombies look like they were drawn on with blue sharpy. I love that. Like I said this is a good cheap zombie movie. But I have seen better. I recommend The Dead Next Door. Another great zombie movie. If you dont like cheesy zombie movies just movies like Night Of The Living Dead and nuthing else. I dont think that you will like this one. But if you do give this one a go. Pick it up at amazon.



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Video Game High School

High School as I wish it was.
This was a great show about: you guessed it, video games in a high school. But it's more than that, rather a high school dedicated to training gamers. An fun story line with epic effects, VGHS is probably one of the best web series shows I've seen in a long time, and that's saying something. While at times the jokes are groan worthy, there is a wealth of video game humor just a click away. Don't go AFK on this one, watch it fellow gamers, watch it.

Derivative and fun. Better as a single movie than discrete episodes
Disclaimer: I was one of the supporters of the project ($30 - hey, I got my name in the credits and a signed DVD of the series). Freddie Wong and his people have even put the budget for the movie on his web site, something that was interesting as well.

I had pretty high hopes for the project, and was "slightly" disappointed as it unfolded with each episode released sequentially as I was watching the web based episodes as they came out. But, I was much more impressed with the finished product. As a stand-alone movie this is a fairly well done (VERY well done technically) teen flick. It has a lot of elements from 1980's teen movies (lovingly nostalgic) and is coupled with state of the art "off the shelf" cgi and special effects. Though violent, it's a bloodless violence since most of the action scenes take place in video game land.

Since you can watch full episodes of this series on the web (see: very popular video web site with the name that starts with the...

Video Game High School Rocks!
I was fiddling around on YouTube the other day when I came upon episode one of this series. It caught my attention, and, me being a huge gamer, I loved it. I proceeded to watch the entire season in one day, and it was amazing. The CGI looks great, and the characters are engaging. It has every important element of high school you can possibly imagine, while replacing sports teams with games such as a Call of Duty-like FPS, a Street Fighter-esque 2D fighter, a dance game inspired by Dance Dance Revolution, a drift racing game like Need for Speed, and even a rhythm game- with real guitars. And it's funny! A lot of it is kind of obscure if you're not a gamer, but it's entertaining nonetheless. The IRL segments are just as entertaining as the in-game ones, if not more so, and there's even a huge real-life fight scene in the latter half of the season. I think VGHS is a lot better when watched as a show rather than a movie. I think the plotline just lends itself more to that format. The...

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Most Valuable Players [HD]

Wonderful!
I play hockey. I don't do musical theatre. That being said, I loved this film. My girlfriend grabbed my hockey bag and sat it on the sofa next to her. I knew something serious was up because the smell of the bag alone has threatened our otherwise fantastic relationship. She said I could not have my manhood back until I sat with her and watched Most Valuable Players. I tried to get myself out of the torture I was certain I was about to endure but she gave me "the look". Being a fan of the Dog Whisperer, I knew it was time for me to sit down. From the first images of the grainy sports kids/theatre kids montage, to the final fade out, I was captivated. No narrator telling me what to think. No shaky camera shots that drive me nuts. No stupid sub-titles because the audio was poorly recorded. Only a well thought out and executed film about the heart and soul of theatre kids and their parents. I actually teared up many times because the film brought me back to my parents taking me to the...

Suprisingly Superb!
Truly an eye-opening piece that provided me with great insight into an area that the majority of Americans, myself included, know very little about. After highlighting the struggles faced by high school theater programs, the documentary gave great insight into the many individuals that made each production so special. Well done!

A Doc That Really Scores
Most Valuable Players is one of the most joyful documentaries I have ever seen. I saw this film nearly a year ago at Docuweek (LA), and was hoping to see it again on DVD. I found it to be even more entertaining and enlightening the second time around. There are also lots of great extras including Filmmaker Commentary, Deleted Scenes and a Cast Reunion segment.

'The film opens accessing support for the arts in sports crazy Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania. A newspaper editor states that more column inches are devoted to sports than any thing else in his newspaper, and millions are spent to maintain sports facilities, with little to nothing being spent on the arts. But as we learn from this thoroughly engaging doc, high school theater is also a team sport. ''

The film follows three high schools: Freedom, Emmaus and Parkland, and their talented students leading up to the Super Bowl of local musical theater, the Freddy Awards. The brainchild of State Theater CEO Shelly...

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Nitro Circus: The Movie

3D review. This packs a punch.
Nitro Circus takes a group of daredevils and shows what happens when you take stunts to the absolute limits. This is truly a heart pumping ride worth taking. You'll see tri-cycles jump ramps across buildings,huge car flips,insane dirt bike jumps,buses flying across the sky,wheel chairs attempting to go through loops,and the whole time the cast takes it as if it's just another day at the office. The whole films leads up to a finale which highlights the first live Nitro Circus show in Vegas.

The 3D here is a nice supplement. The material doesn't need it,but it certainly adds to the overall experience. The movie itself is quiet a knockout,but the 3D insures you stay down for the count.

Pros: The stunts are insane here. Without a doubt it's hard to believe no one has been seriously,life crippling injured attempting any of this. Some of it is pretty funny as well.

Cons: I felt at times they took too long in between shots to get the input of celebrities and...

BORING!!
I am a big fan of Travis and Friends and have purchased all the previous videos. I was not entertained. I called my friends to watch for the first time and most left early.
Looks like they must have had a contract to fulfill and were just going through the motions.
Second: I would like to ask ....Did Travis retire? its seems all he did was congratulate others for doing stunts.
SO DISAPPOINTED

NITRO!
If you liked the show, you'll love the movie. It's Nitro Circus, what's not to love? I mean, it's Travis, Jolene and the crew. Buy it. Now.

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Highway

Definitely a Movie to smoke & laugh too!
Very Funny movie! Definitely a movie 2 smoke then watch! Devin the Dude & Lil Duval are 2 Funny & U will watch it over & over! Much funnier than Mac & Devin (the Wiz & Snoop movie) #IJS

I'M TALKING ABOUT A TRAIN WREAK
This is another African-American stoner film. This one stars Devin Copeland and Roland Powell and is a cut below others in this genre such as "Budz House." The inconsistent plot (which is okay for a stoner film) concerns our heroes trying to steal plants from hillbillies in western Kentucky. The film incorporates "chronic breaks" or mellow trips at certain times to add to the pot humor.

The production exhibits many low brow qualities with its frequent racial humor directed at both blacks and whites. Frequent use of the N-word. A poorly and immaturely written script, that in spite of all the short comings and as disgusted as I was, I did find myself laughing at some of the confrontations.

I loved the cartoon Chronic Break sequence of "Kush" which combined classic "Heavy Metal" type animation with a "Kill Bill" type hero. If only the whole film had measured up.

This is a film that is better if seen stoned and by someone who never lived through the early...

Hillbilly Highway
I bought it because i'm in it and I wanted to see how the project turned out. The union had to sue them before I got paid.

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The Queen of Versailles

How do you sum up the Siegels?
Lauren Greenfield's "The Queen of Versailles" is funny, sad, appalling and touching all at once. It can be taken as a tale of wretched excess, of the implosion of the American Dream. or as proof that the rich (at least the nouveaux riches) are perhaps not so different from you and me.

"The Queen of Versailles" is a documentary about David and Jacqueline Siegel, Florida billionaires who made a mint in the time-share boom of the early 2000s, only to go bust when the subprime mortgage bubble burst. The symbol of their rags-to-riches-to-rags story is their unfinished 90,000-square-foot house, named and modeled after Versailles, which they are forced to put on the market. The early portion of the film depicts the Siegels' life of childish self-congratulation in their current 26,000-sq.-ft. mansion, replete with gilt thrones, shoe closets the size of airplane hangars, and portraits of themselves in royal robes. The later footage shows their lives falling into chaos. David becomes...

Wonderful documentary!
I drove 4 hours roundtrip yesterday to see "The Queen of Versailles", which I had been looking forward to since reading of it months ago. I was certain it would be worth the trip, and indeed it was! Lauren Greenfield fascinatingly captured the Siegel family as they were living life large with all the unimaginable tacky extravagances that the self made couple with "new money" thought would make them look important and elegant. The marriage was built on shifting sand ... Jackie was his trophy wife ... David was her trophy husband. She popped out 7 kids once she realized she could have several nannies to take care of them. Poor kids. The 90,000 sq. ft. Versailles was under construction when the bottom dropped out of the real estate market, so they had to halt construction on that and make do in their 26,000 sq. ft. house. The story only gets more crazy from there on out. I had told my friend who went with me that this movie was a documentary, but afterwards she asked if those were actors...

A documentary that is also a satire
But these people are so over-the-top that there is no way to satirize them. Their reality is completely out there. Their 26,000 sq ft house is too small, so they are building a 90,000 sq ft one, based on the palace at Versailles. That's what the documentary starts out about. Then, the economic collapse hits, and actually affects them so they must cease construction on this huge palace and fire 19 of their 24 or so household staff. There is still money for a non-surgical facelift for the forty-something wife with basketball-size false boobs married to the 75 yr old husband with enormous gut, but they must forgo private planes with their 7 kids and niece. This movie was a horror show of what happens to people when they simply have too much money. There is no compassion for the Filipino nanny who has not seen her own children in 11 years. There is no feeling for pets, even, who are allowed to crap all over the floor (dogs) or simply allowed to die (reptiles, fish) from neglect. This is...

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Life 2.0 [HD]

Incredible what this director caught on film in Life 2.0
Life 2.0 is an astonishingly meaningful and entertaining look at the subculture of Second Life. The film tracks several people through their engagement and sometimes addiction with the online 3D virtual reality world. One woman sells enormous and immaculate virtual homes for real money in second life, while living in squalor in her parent's basement, working in her pajamas twenty hours a day. Another couple, who turn out to look surprisingly similar to their extremely attractive avatars, fall in love on Second Life and their relationship spills into first life with unexpected consequences. It's incredible how close the director got to his subjects, and you can't believe some of the moments he's managed to catch on film. Finally, the film manages not just to tell these amazing, and sometimes troubling stories, but many of the scenes, and the film itself, functions as a metaphor for our contemporary world's layers of reality, encouraging us to contemplate "what is real."

Very interesting
Life 2.0 is one of the most interesting documentaries I've seen. The stark realism captured in this film sheds real insight into not just virtual environments such as Second Life but, the entire phenomenon of meeting and interacting with other people online. I think this documentary will probably mean even more to people who have experienced anything close to what is covered in it.

Provocative
Life 2.0 is a documentarian's look at the world of Second Life and those who are addicted to it. There are three main story threads: A man and a woman who decide to leave their families and be together after meeting online, a woman who lives at home and who makes her living from playing Second Life from 6pm until 11am, and a man who plays a little girl online (in theory, there are no adolescents online, as it's illegal for minors to play Second Life). The documentary's structure makes it jarring viewing: Real-life interviews are interspersed with footage from Second Life, so it's difficult sometimes to separate what's real and what's fake. Certainly, for the individuals portrayed in this film, Second Life is far more real than their own real life. As the film progresses, it becomes clear to what should have all been too obvious from the start: that the people most addicted and absorbed by Second Life are exactly those who suffer from deep psychosis and seek an escape from the...

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The Hopeful [HD]

Why the focus on social status?
Yes, this story may be different if the focus of the film was lower on the ladder financially, but this is a story of success. There is conflict in this kids life that money doesn't overcome. As a football fan, I couldn't have enjoyed the film more. There were miraculous games where I could imagine the kids playing will be telling their story over and over again. I am glad I was able to share this feeling by watching 'The Hopeful'

Worth watching but really bizarre
I found a battle going on within myself during the movie over the following:

1. Spoiled kid who gets more opportunity to succeed than any other kid I have ever seen.

2. Applauding this kid for taking every opportunity and using every resource available to him.

I can't come down on this kid at all. He is just taking opportunities that are laid out before him. His family really seems to be obsessed with his success. I don't think that we got the total story on his dad. The movie portrays him as a loving father who is very supportive but I am inclined to believe that there is a lot more to it than that. In the end the movie turns into just a highlight reel. It's worth watching because it will cause you to struggle with the first two points that I made.

Honest story of a football dream
I enjoyed Cody's story. He seems like a great kid with a family that adores him and has the means to help him live his dreams. What an amazing gift. As a parent of 4 boys I would do anything within my power and financial means to help my sons develop and perfect a sport they have passion to play. The journey his family takes with him to get him there is very moving and at times difficult. The coaches he plays for are a mixed bag until his prep school season in New England. Wow, what a difference a great coach can make.
If you liked Friday Night Lights or have kids that play sports you will like this movie.

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A Burning Hot Summer [HD]

Beware Of The Title: Not Much Heat In This French Relationship Drama, More Of A Chilly Aloofness
With its incendiary title and its provocative DVD cover, it might be easy to mistake Philippe Garrel's new "A Burning Hot Summer" for a racy and hot-blooded melodrama. Instead, the film is a quintessential French character piece that has a moody aloofness that should be familiar to anyone that has sampled Garrel's other works. A quartet of friends struggle with relationships, debate political theory, and mainly just exist in an isolated world of idealism and hypocrisy. This "hot summer," therefore, is punctuated by inaction, extended silences, and a rather mundane ordinariness for much of the picture. This is not a movie made for audiences expecting big moments or actions, but one that succeeds on a smaller story which relies heavily on the things that people leave unsaid.

At heart, "A Burning Hot Summer" tells the story of two interwoven relationships. Louis Garrel (the filmmaker's son and frequent leading man) and Monica Bellucci play an established married couple that...

"A DRAMA THAT TUGS AT THE HEART!"
A couple who were once very much in love and happy got married. At first their marriage was going good with love and passion. But then, the husband who is a painter begins to have struggles and challenges with his movie-star wife. Before you know it, their marriage begins to fall apart. Acting Performance Excellent, and the story holds your interest from start to finish. Overall, Enjoyable and Entertaining. Highly Recommended!

Love and marriage in today's secular society
Don't be misled by the title, the box cover photo, or the trailer: "A Burning Hot Summer" (ABHS) is not a titillating French sex farce or lighthearted romp through the sheets. It is a serious film about relationships, love and marriage in today's modern secular society. The setting is Europe, but the social mores of the main characters will be familiar to those who live in secular regions of the United States.

The film focuses on two couples, one which may be nearing the end of the relationship and one which may be beginning. As the two couples face challenges to their relationships, and as the four characters interact with each other, a variety of important questions get explored. Is it possible or desirable to have a lifetime monogamous relationship, and if not, should one bother entering into a serious relationship? Why get married or divorced? How should couples handle infidelity? Does a one-night stand mean anything? The rules of the relationship game have...

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Rescue [HD]

I've seen more expensive films that didn't look nearly as good.
So I'm at a local retail store. I don't have a lot of money on me but I want a good 3D title. Then,as if my prayers where heard i stumbled upon this little gem called "Rescue" 3D.

Rescue 3D, centers around the U.S Air Force's relief efforts after the devastating earthquake in Haiti.
The opening shots are beautiful in 3D,offering a few moments that made me feel these objects where right in the room with me. When it comes to the pop out factor, Rescue certainly has its fair share and the effect of it is done rather nicely.

The biggest drawback to this film is that theirs quiet a few shot where the absence of 3D is noticeable. The pay off though,comes with the fact that you'll watch one or two scenes back to back with little to no 3D,then the next thing you know a great 3D shot comes around the corner. Another pass i'll give this movie,is that some of the 2D shots look so awesome by themselves it really didn't bother me that not all of them where 3D. I never...

Airplanes,Boats,Helicopters and Firefighters...whats not to like?
I first saw this movie at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C. I purchased a copy to add to my personal video library. This is not a full length hollywood feature, but is about 45 minutes long, detailing first responder training, deployment and their actions during the Haiti earthquake emergency. The Blu Ray 2D Version is Impressive, but the 3D version is Spectacular! The 3D effects add to the realism and drama of the documentary instead of gratuitious Hollywood 3D effects. Overall: A feel good about America movie!

3D the way it should be
Watching a video that was shot in native 3D really shows you just what the format is really for. There were some close ups of a female pilot and her eyelashes were popping out of the screen in such clarity it was amazing!
The video as a whole was a day-in-the-life of, not so much an action packed multiple viewing fun film.
Soooo, I can't really say I'd watch it more than twice in my lifetime?

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Maximum Conviction

maximum conviction
steven segal and steve austin are fantastic. they are both older but they still get the job done. i always enjoy seing good and tough guys get rid of the bad guys. but a movie is never very good unless the bad guys seem to be invinsible. there are a lot of twist and turns the kept me on the edge of my seat. just when i thought there were no more good movies at the the theatres or on dvd. this one came out along with many others.

THIS GUY MEANS BUSINESS
Cross (Steven Seagal) is an operational genius. His partner Manning (Steve Austin) is a weapons expert. They are ex-special forces who work as black ops contractors. Their current job is to decommission a black ops prison, one that doesn't officially exist and is located in Oregon (seriously?). For some reason our "operational genius" decides to shut down the prison while it still has prisoners in it.

During this period there are men dressed as Federal Marshals attempting a "high risk extraction" of two female prisoners to prevent them from going to a civilian prison. The film consists of Seagal/Austin and crew fighting in a prison maze against the bad guys. Seagal doesn't know if the women are in league with the bad guys or if the bad guys want them dead. It isn't hard for us to figure it out from their faces which show expressions. (Take note Steven, it's called acting!)

Early in the film Steven Seagal laughs, something I don't recall him doing in another...

Where's the Love? This is a decent low budget action flick
I am surprised at some of the low ratings on this flick. Sure it is a direct to DVD movie, but the bottom line is that is a pretty decent flick (for the budget). I would love to see a big screen version of this movie, but with better writers and a bigger budget. The basic plot is cool, with special forces and CIA teams duking it out. Austin & Segal work great together. Is Segal overweight? Who cares? He can still kick your a@@! This movie lived up to my expectations and actually exceeded them a bit. I would liked to have seen a little more competition for Segal. His fights were pretty one-sided. Like in the old Walker, Texas Ranger - The First Season series. Chuck almost never had a decent two way fight. A good action hero needs a good villian who can go one on one with our hero (Hans Gruber anyone?). I am looking forward to watching a Maximum Conviction II. Heck, next time throw in a few more known...

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Red vs. Blue: Season 10

The greatest season as of yet
This season was the most enjoyable for me, especially the ending. It might not have the same amount of laughs as the earlier seasons have had, but the new animation and action scenes coupled with the emotional journeys of the characters make this a more well-rounded story with a bigger pay-off.

The previous season didn't sit well with me primarily because the main characters whom we have come to love over the years, were not funny for the most part. *MINOR SPOILER* They were just parodies of themselves inside the Epsilon unit, but still their comedy was way off. However, season 9's action taking place in the past was what really made the story interesting, and it is that same action that carries forward into season 10. Thankfully, the present day plot has resumed being funny as well.

Another great return for the season is the music of Trocadero. They were the ones who originally made the music for Red Vs Blue but recently had been replaced with Jeff Williams and...

Better to get it from the Roosterteeth.com
I purchased this from Amazon because I have prime with free shipping. This was a mistake. In this version of the Blu-ray, you get the movie, outtakes and commentary. If you get it from the store at Roosterteeth.com, you get a second disk packed with special features. Don't get me wrong, this season is fantastic, but if you are like me and like to watch the behind the scenes and other special features, get it from Roosterteeth.com You might have to spend a little more, but it is worth it, and all the proceeds go to supporting Roosterteeth.

One of the best sci fi/comedy/action movies ever
The season is great with its amazing story line and characters,it's stunning visual effects,and its hilarious jokes that flow out of funny conversations,it leaves it's mark as a great season.even elijah wood is in it!if you want to laugh and be thrilled then you need to see this.it's Roosterteeth's(the creators)best season ever.of all time.

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The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader [HD]

Another seagoing epic in Lewis' magical "chronicles"!
If there's anything that Walden Media's CHRONICLES OF NARNIA movie franchise (based on C.S. Lewis' timeless novels) is known for lately, it could very well be that it ever continued at all. The first film, THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE, was a box office smash, but successor PRINCE CASPIAN didn't achieve the same success. But when Disney, who distributed and funded both films, decided not to participate in anymore NARNIA adventures, it seemed as though Lewis' tales were destined to remain forever frosted by the White Witch. But thankfully, Walden Media refused to let NARNIA die so easily, and so they've teamed up with 20th Century Fox to complete the third movie in the series, THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER. It could also very well be the last entry; critics have been lukewarm to negative on this film, and faced with so much competition this year from family films such as TRON LEGACY, HARRY POTTER, and even upcoming duds like YOGI BEAR and GULLIVER'S TRAVELS, this film...

A Tale With a Different Tail
Right off the top, if you're looking for a literal book-to-movie adaptation, you're going to be very disappointed. Aslan may as well be a tiger. There are countless modifications that did not completely align with the book and numerous subtleties noticeable to anyone familiar with the story.

For the most part, however, TVOTDT stayed true to form, following Lucy (Georgie Henley) and Edmund (Skandar Keynes) - along with their easy to hate cousin Eustace (Will Poulter) - through the fabric of a family painting and into the vast tapestry of the Narnian world created by C.S. Lewis and onto the Dawn Treader (the ship in the painting). Aboard the ship the join forces with recently crowned - a year in Earthly time, and three in Narnia - King Caspian (Ben Barnes) who, along with his crew of sentient beasts and willing sailors, seeks out seven Telmarine lords and swords. Almost immediately after they board the Dawn Treader, and unequivocally after they disembark for their first...

This is not a movie review, this is a product/case review
At least on Amazon right now, this is the only 3 Disc (BD, DVD, Digital Copy) version for sale. So I had no choice. But the photo Amazon includes does not show this case as being anything other than the standard plastic case with a sleeve.

Which I would have loved. But nothing I hate more than a crappy storage case for a 3 disc blockbuster title.

I have included pics. I give this product 3 stars for "OK". Even though I hate it. If you want a movie review, check out the many movie review sites. If you want a film transfer review for video and audio quality, check out blu-ray.com.

This is one of the most annoying storage cases I have owned. The worst was the Toy Story complete box set, which was so bad that I returned it at a loss and bought all the films individually with multiple versions just to have the better cases.

So what makes this storage so bad? Check out the pics. It's basically paper sleeves for the discs (2 of 3), folded together...

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Miss Representation

Compelling, even after seeing it 4 times
I initially saw this film at the SF Film Society's showing, and as a teacher, felt it was important to bring along a few parents, students, and former students. My only regret was in not bringing guys along, who should most definitely see it as well. What struck me most profoundly was the momentum that was growing so quickly back in the late 60's and early 70's, and the backlash that appears to have driven us significantly backward ever since. As a parent of a young woman in communications, the statistics on who is running the media was quite shocking. My group left the theater profoundly impacted, and I immediately requested that our school librarian order a copy.

Over the Christmas break, I watched it 3 more times, once with my daughter and twice with "mature" women, and everyone was riveted by the movie. While it can be argued that this topic has been addressed numerous times over the years, it needs to be repeated in a variety of venues and formats to increase the...

This Study Of Gender Inequity And Media Representation Covers A Familiar Topic, But With A Star-Studded Line-Up
An impressive array of commentators contribute thoughts to Jennifer Siebel Newsom's well-meaning documentary "Miss Representation." News personalities, activists, politicos, and entertainment figures all participate in the dialogue about the media's harmful representation of women within today's culture. While this issue is certainly not a new one, it still merits discussion--and that is really the most unfortunate topic presented within this ninety minute production. In 2011, is this really something that we still have to talk about? That's the real crime here. A few of the noteworthy interview subjects include Jane Fonda, Gloria Steinem, Katie Couric, Nancy Pelosi, Geena Davis, Condaleeza Rice, Rachel Maddow, Rosario Dawson, Cory Booker, Paul Haggis, and Margaret Cho. It's great to have compiled so many diverse viewpoints all striving for the same results, but I don't know how new or enlightening any of it serves to be to an audience already familiar with the issues...

Amazing!
This is an amazing documentary. There is also a great group of people who continue to follow the cause. Visit missrepresentation.org for more information.

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65_RedRoses [HD]

Wonderful Documentary on CF
65 Redroses is a must see! It follows the life of a young woman, Eva, in her 20's, living with Cystic Fibrosis. Faced with the challenges of this complex incurable disease, Eva lives life to the fullest. Her mantra: "Love, love, love." Never have a seen such a honest, and touching film. This film touched so many people's lives, giving them hope. Eva's website, 65redroses.com, has a huge following. Her supporters encouraged her, and her cause; organ donation. A film you'll soon not forget. Definately worth checking out!

Amazing Movie!
I rented this after reading about Eva and her story, I also have Cystic Fibrosis( the same genetic disease the girl in the movie suffers from) it really hit home and made me realize how important it is to stay on top of this illness. I normally do not like documentarys but this one is an amazing rent! it will make you laugh,cry,and see just how precious life is.

Touched My Heart
I recently saw this documentary on TV and all I can say is that I was so touched by it that I cried. If you haven't seen it, definitely watch it. It is something you will never forget.

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Kung Fu Panda Holiday (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo)

Good one for the Christmas collection
We were so glad to see this released on DVD. We have enjoyed it on our DVR since it was first shown. The DVD has a funny main menu with a few extras that make it worth getting the DVD if not for the show. Be sure to watch Mr. Ping's Noodle House - you will see what I mean. Any fan of the Kung Fu Panda movies should have this in their collection. The story is really good.

My nephews didn't like it
I bought this movie thinking it was actual full length movie for my nephews. My youngest nephew didn't like it because he said "It didn't make me laugh" and I agree that the movie is somewhat on the boring side. Also this is more like an episode than a movie, this DVD is a whopping 25 minutes long, there are special features and such but my nephews are not interested in that stuff.

EDIT: Also I'd like to add that this movie is available on Netflix as of Dec 4, 2012 so you may want to check it out there before purchasing it.

just ok..
my son and i loved po and friends from the start. kung fu panda 1 and 2 are travel staples. with this one, it was very disappointing. 26 minutes playing time, characters didnt have the opportunity to develop their roles, and it totally lacked fun :( oh well, lesson learned. do not buy please.

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The Muppet Christmas Carol

Be advised: widescreen version is not uncut.
This DVD contains a 4:3 version and a 16:9 widescreen version.

Disney Home Video reps have confirmed that only the 4:3 pan & scan version is the home video version which contains the full version of this movie. The widescreen version is the theatrical cut and does not include the song "When Love is Gone".

Extremely disappointed in Disney again!
Reading the Blu-Ray description included here, it says that the running time is 85 minutes, which is four minutes shorter than my copy on laserdisc. This can only mean that the exquisite song "When Love Is Gone" is STILL not being included in this release ...

... which means I'm not buying it.

Sorry, Disney, but I refuse to spend my money on a sub-standard presentation, no matter how HD it is.

The story of A Christmas Carol is about Ebenezer Scrooge, not the Muppets. His character arc is the most important factor. Michael Caine gives a fantastic performance, and his greatest moment is during this scene as he tries to sing with the woman that Ebenezer loved and lost -- and he winds up losing his emotional control, unable to finish the song. This is why he turns to the Ghost of Christmas Past and says, "Spirit, show me no more. Why do you delight in torturing me?"

If "When Love Is Gone" is not included, that question has no meaning...

For goodness sake, read the reviews!
I was happily watching my VHS copy of The Muppet Christmas Carol with my lovely wife the other evening and decided it was time to own it on DVD. I popped open my laptop and ordered it as the movie was playing on the TV. Sadly I did not take time to read the reviews before placing my order because if I had known that the song, "When Love is Gone", was omitted from the widescreen version, I would have saved my money. So I can watch the complete film by choosing the 4:3 aspect ratio option but the image quality is vastly inferior to the 16:9 presentation. Basically I paid fifteen bucks for nothing. Thanks a bunch, Disney. Bite me.

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Fire With Fire [HD]

YOU GET TO KEEP YOUR FIRST NAME
In Long Beach, there is a turf war going on. Firefighter Jeremy Coleman (Josh Duhamel) is a witness to a murder and has been placed in the witness protection program where he falls in love with a US Marshall (Rosario Dawson). Bruce Willis plays local police chief Mike Cella who would like very much to see crime boss David Hagan (Vincent D'Onofrio) go to jail.

While in the program, the bad guys find out where Jeremy is located and threaten to kill everyone Jeremy knows and their family. Jeremy goes vigilante in order to save himself and everyone else. He also gives us overwhelming clues about the ending.

I liked the climax of the film, in spite of the fact I knew it was coming from 30 minutes into the film. The script was overly predictable and the dialouge wasn't moving. Vinnie Jones gives us a brief bad guy, and likewise 50 Cent wasn't on screen that long. I would have liked to have seen more of Willis in the film.

Might work as a 99 cent rental for...

Definitely Worth Watching -- Nothing Groundbreaking
The reason I deducted one star was because the ending was left open. I hate when a movie leaves the audience with a question, especially if that question pertains to the status of the main characters. It is a fatal flaw that I believe some film makers do not grasp. If I spend 90 minutes or so watching the story unfold, it makes sense that I am interested in something about the story... Since I am interested in the story, it makes further sense that I want to know about the problems the characters are dealing with, how they respond, and what happens to them. Does the cowboy win the battle and the girl and ride off into the sunset? Does ET call home and get through? Does Batman and Robin escape the trap the Joker snared them in? That is why I will tune in tomorrow night, same Bat time, same Bat channel. So it kindly torques my constitution when I give the writer/director my undivided time to follow the story, care about the characters, cheer them on and pray they are victorious...only...

Pretty routine and often bloody cops and robbers
You've seen this flapping turkey before. My biggest complaint is that i bought it instead or renting it via Netflix, cuz this is a one shot deal. Bruce Willis looked like he was on pain killers and never fired a round in this routine good guy on the run from the baddied. I counted three times when the heroes (a fireman who saw murders committed and a nicely-shaped US marshal who falls for the big lug) scuffle and lose their weapons and watch them skid across the smooth floor. Once, maybe, not three times in a movie. Willis could have been replaced with a cardboard cutout and we would have gotten the same visual results. Time for him to retire.
One major plus, the bad guy and his pack of blood-thirsty goons are terrific. They radiate evil and you want them to perish by the sword and slowly. I won't give away the main villain's name but he was in 'Full Metal Jacket' and he was masterful as the head whacko - one problem, not enough mayham by the vicious pack of mad dogs to really...

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What She Wants for Christmas [HD]

I'm a Grandmother----> GREAT MOVIE FOR GRANDCHILDREN...
...to watch with their grandma (or grandpa). I give it 5 stars because it keeps children interested. Especially the ones who are waiting for their Christmas gifts and for Christmas to come. It keeps the spirit of Christmas alive in any household. And it also has a very positive and meaningful message.

Cute film for kids!
Super cute story...good for watching with kids during the holidays! Not your most high budget film but definitely worth the buy!

Cute family Christmas movie!
This is a good family movie kids will love. It is in the style of Home Alone. The girl in the movie kidnaps Santa because she does not get what she wants for Christmas.

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Morgan

In the Blink of an Eye
"Morgan" is a charming, believable and heart-wrenching story about staying true to yourself and doing the best you can everyday.

Even with relentless support from his family and friends, Morgan still feels hopeless and uncertain about his future. In the blink of an eye, Morgan's life is changed. Crippled from a bike race many years ago, he struggles with the idea that he will no longer be able to do what fuels him and makes him happy: bike racing.

But when he meets a man named Dean, everything changes. He and Dean go out. Talk. Drink beers. Get to know each other. Morgan likes his newfound friend, and Dean's feelings, as Morgan will soon discover, are mutual. Days turn to weeks, weeks to months, and both boy's lives are dramatically altered. And when the obsession to return to what he loves best, even amid his doctor's warnings, Morgan turns his back on everyone and forges ahead toward the only thing that makes him fulfilled.

Until tragedy strikes. And...

Better every time I watch it
Morgan Oliver is recently paraplegic, T-10 incomplete, as a result of a bicycle accident during a race he was competing in. He has recently returned home from rehab and he's now unemployed and living on disability, adjusting to his new life and the new adaptive setup in his apartment. His preferred way to pass the time is drinking beer and watching television, and the main events of the film begin when he runs out of beer and neither his mother, Peg, nor his best friend, Lane, will enable him any further. They refuse to buy him more beer, forcing him to leave the house on his own. It is during his trip out to replenish his beer supplies that he meets Dean Kagen, which is where our romance begins.

The drama unfolds once Morgan decides he wants to compete in the wheelchair division of the very same race that cost him his ability to walk, where Morgan, because of his hyper-competitive nature, caused an accident involving himself and two other competitors on a very...

Good beginning deteriorates into absurd, annoying melodrama
The first half of this movie is very good, refreshingly low-key and original, with a believable, slowly-developing romance between Morgan and Dean in Inwood, the far northern tip of Manhattan almost never seen in movies. The relaxed, small-town, almost rural character of the place is a welcome change from the frantic pace, hard-edged greed and shallow posturing that dominate in the more fashionable areas downtown where most movies are made. The city used to have many such low-key neighborhoods that we never see in movies, so it's good to see this one while it still exists.

Unfortunately, the movie sort of disintegrates in its second half. Producers Akers and Berg must have thought a simple love story would be too boring, so they shoehorned a boatload of dramatic tension into the gentle, lovely story and ruined it. There are no gay-beating thugs, which is the stock drama-injector in gay movies, and its absence here is a great relief; but the absurd and highly annoying...

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360 [HD]

`Everything comes full circle.' Fascinating and Challenging, a Cinematic Treasure
Brazilian director Fernando Meirelles (City of God, Blindness, The Constant Gardner, etc) once again demonstrates how far away from reality his films can take us, but at the same time how closely he can examine human foibles so that rather than being a spectator he involves the viewer into squirming through our own errors of assignations, past, present and future. The screenplay for this extended psychological thriller is by Peter Morgan (Longford, The Queen, Frost/Nixon. The Last King of Scotland, etc) and yet both men attribute the inspiration to Arthur Schnitzler's 1897 play La Ronde which scrutinizes the sexual morals and class ideology of its day through a series of encounters between pairs of characters (shown before or after a sexual encounter). By choosing characters across all levels of society, the play offers social commentary on how sexual contact transgresses boundaries of class. Meirelles and Morgan weave together the stories of an array of people from disparate social...

We've Seen It All Before
Billed as a modern remake of the wonderful 1950 French film. La Ronde, 360 turns out to simply be another in a long line of Six-Degrees-Of-Separation-type films (or perhaps, considering its global span, another in a long line of Babel-type films). Unfortunately, there is really no development of story or character, so all that is left of any interest in watching how the lives of the characters randomly intersect on an international scale. The cast is good, with the stand-outs being Ben Foster and Anthony Hopkins (who in a rather small role ironically does his best work in years), but at the end one is left with a big "So What?"

IF THE ROAD FORKS. TAKE IT
I imagine this is titled 360 because "Ring" and "It's a Small World" were already taken. 360 involves a number of disjointed stories that have a way of intersecting or not. There are many indie films out there that do this, some work better than others. The ones that work have quirky stories that hold our interest. This one does not. The stories consist of an escort, infidelity, a sex offender, a man looking for his missing daughter, and a Russian. There may be a few more.

The Denver airport was filmed in Minnesota, apparently they figured no one travels enough to either place to notice. While the acting wasn't bad, the stories were presented in a mundane fashion. One of the problems with the film is that you know in advance the story will circle back so you spend your time concentrating on how it is going to do that rather than try to take in what is on the screen.

If you like intersecting indie films, try Jason Freeland's "Garden Party" a modest production...

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The Pact [HD]

Very, very scary. Seriously scary.
I just saw this at the Laemmle in North Hollywood. I knew nothing about it, save a 'go see it' from a friend. This is a terrific movie, smart, stylish when it needs to be and very scary. I actually yelled out three times in the theatre... it has a few of those scares. But even better, it's creepy and unnerving. It really gets under your skin. As for the complaints that it is too slow... this is such a tiresome complaint from people about various scary movies. (Full disclosure... I get the same complaint about a ghost story I directed.) I'd go off about attention spans and people needing blood and guts but what's the point. We all like what we like, and I loved this movie. It does have some big scares and some blood but it takes it's time and the movie is all the better for it. I, for one, was on edge from almost the start. Beautifully done, check it out!

Slow-Burning Terror (3.5/5)
The Pact is a slow horror film that mixes tension with jump-out scares. I don't want to spoil the scares, but I will say the movie has similar scares to the frights found in Insidious and kind of like Paranormal Activity (this is not a handheld camera film, by the way). Some of the scares were expected, but still managed to creep me out a bit. In the right environment, it should deliver some spine-tingling frights. I have mixed feelings about the ending though, it's original but moves away from what the the first two acts built. Some may dislike the slow pace, but I felt it worked well. Acting was fine most of the time, and the music was great.

For your information, the film has some blood and gore, terror, and partial nudity (nothing serious or over the top), in case you were planning to watch it with anyone under 17 (it's Not Rated, but it's pretty tamed). Worth 9.99? Maybe for fans of this type of horror, but you should wait for a drop if you're barely interested. I...

This was a pleasant surprise
This movie is eerie, suspenseful and has an ending I didn't see coming.

Another poster commented that "an ending that has been done to death"...really? I don't remember any other movies with an ending quite like this one.

As long as you rent this not expecting big budget special effects, if you like creepy movie you'll be satisfied.

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[REC] 3: Genesis (English Subtitled) [HD]

Great Movie from Spain
It's a perfect mix of dark humor, irony, romance and gore. Although it's personality changes from REC 1 and REC 2, it won't won't be a disappointment. All three of the REC movies are fantastic.

Pretty Good
I like all of the REC movies unlike their horrible remake Quarantine. This movie had a great twist with it being during a wedding. What's supposed to be a joyous celebration turns into a horror movie which I loved. There were some moments in the movie where I wanted to smack these people around for being so stupid but all horror movies are like that aren't they? I'd recommend seeing it not as good as part 2 but it was fun to watch!!!

Good Fun Gore
I'm a huge fan of horror films and I absolutely love zombie movies. I really enjoy "Quarantine" over ".REC" but didn't care much for "Quarantine 2." I thought ".REC 2" was very good but ".REC 3" is now my favorite of the series. I thought this movie was fantastic! Sure, there's no intricate storyline or characters to be totally engrossed in, but it's a ZOMBIE film! It's got all of the supplements for a great zombie experience. (POTENTIAL SPOILER NOT RELATED TO THE STORY AHEAD!) I admire the fact that they drop the handy cam halfway through the movie and then you're treated to a cinema style zombie flick. Props for taking it in another direction. The kills are over the top and there's plenty of gore for a gnarly horror movie night with your buddies. If you're a fan of zombie films you should not pass this one up! As for all of the obese critics that wear turtle neck sweaters and make negative reviews over everything all day, you should take this movie for what it is.....good fun gore...

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High Ground

Catharsis And Camaraderie: 11 Veterans Face An Emotionally Compelling And Physically Demanding Journey
The new documentary "High Ground" is an emotionally charged, yet surprisingly understated, story of survival, hope, and perseverance that touched me quite deeply. There are so many documentary choices about being in battle and the emotional and physical toll it can take, just witnessing these harrowing stories can be devastating. But few films that I've seen on the subject have been so simple, so straightforward, and so quietly powerful as "High Ground." Its subtlety is its key. As a chronicle of war, as a story of its devastating aftermath, and as a adventure travelogue--this film really accomplishes a lot. And it doesn't achieve its power through big dramatic moments, but with candid revelations and insights from its group of participants. Each member of this expedition faces the camera and gives you a glimpse into their personal life and their experience in the war. And in these intimate moments, we see a real cross section of what our military personnel must endure. But...

Eye opening documentary
I came across the movie poster for this film and instantly ordered it. I was very impressed with the filming and the individuals involved but was left wanting a bit more behind the scenes info. No disrespect at all to the individuals in the film or the director, they have all done s great service.

Beautiful, incredibly moving film
I bought this DVD after seeing this beautiful film because I simply had to own it. The characters are incredible, and they--and the filmmaker--are brave enough to tell their stories warts and all. In doing so they expose their vulnerabilities, which makes their achievements that much more remarkable and inspiring. It's taught me more about the experiences of veterans and Wounded Warriors than any other film, if only by showing the variety and complexity of the issues they face coming home.

The filmmaker allows the characters to tell their own stories in a way that really does justice to the depth of their experiences and emotions. Combine all that with stunning cinematography and a powerful music score and it's hands-down my favorite doc of the year. I must have cried five times watching it and still get tears in my eyes when I think of it. Thank you to the filmmaker for making High Ground, and to characters in it for being brave enough to tell your stories...

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Dinotasia [HD]

Not as good as Dinosaur Revolution
This DVD is still worth getting, no doubt. Compared to Dinosaur Revolution, it leaves out quite a bit and jumbles up the story lines, often placing scenes out of context (where they made sense and followed a clear narrative in Dinosaur Revolution).
The scenes not included are : The Cryolophosaurus, the Mosasaur, the Gigantoraptor and the Eoraptor. The one bonus is you get a brief scene at the beginning where an Acrocathosaurus is brought to life from a skeleton and wanders out of the museum into a modern day city. My recommendation is buy it if you cannot get dinosaur revolution on DVD or Blu-Ray, or if you simply are willing to spend whatever it takes even for a brief glimpse of Acrocanthosaurus. For those of you already owning Dinosaur Revolution, this reshuffled and edited version will not add to what you already have witnessed (Acro aside). Overall, I thought Dinosaur Revolution was a better production.

Dinosaur Revolution
This is the Discovery Channels "Dinosaur Revolution" Just a Different Name .
It was on the Disc Channel sept 2011 here in the US .
The wait is over I will be getting it .
I Hope you all injoy it as much as I did .
The CGI is very good and the Storys are Great (My Fav is the Allosaurs with the Injured Lower Jaw :-)

If "Scientific American" owned the "Termite Terrace."
This is the movie that the cable series was supposed to be. Don't see it expecting it to be a longer version of the series. It is a different product, a different vision. It is a collection of classic Warner Brothers-inspired cartoons set to story lines that are based on the latest and best available scientific knowledge about dinosaurs. Some of the stories are violent and may be emotionally difficult for very young children, others show complex and rewarding family universality. At least one is a glorious, funny, nearly shot-for-shot homage to a very classic WB cartoon familiar to any baby boomer. Since Mel Blanc is no longer with us, Dinotasia's animals do not speak words, although they can and do communicate throughout this intelligent and courageous show of visual storytelling. But wait! Mel may be gone, but nothing can prepare you for what happens when Werner Herzog apparently wanders around the production office for a couple of days. In his distinctive vocal style that is both...

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One Lucky Elephant [HD]

Amazing - Touching - Docu
One Lucky Elephant is a wonderful journey of two "kindred spirits" - David Balding and Flora. It reminds me of "Project Nim" - amazingly, a mirror image ( a captive elephant this time used in a circus instead of a born in captivity chimpanzee used in a research project ). This docu will touch your heart and foster a thought - a need for a better life for orphaned and captive animals,,,,,hey, the "best life" is in the wild with their natural families but if unfortunate to find themselves under our care - we must give them the "best world" humanely possible. Did I say humanely? Buy this docu - Flora and David will definitely "touch you heart" with their story - one that does not have a Disney-ending.

The realities of 'owning' a wild animal
The notion that anyone or anything will abandon their true nature is a delusion, but maybe it's something we all do when we fall in love. This documentary shows what happens when a truly loving person thinks that their love will be enough for a wild animal to give up being wild. It's not. The road to this discovery is a touching one. The story evolves into one where two caring people have very different ideas on what will make this particular elephant happy. Whether or not 'Flora' ultimately does become lucky is for the viewer to decide.

Questionable
So, what exactly is "lucky" about being enslaved to be a circus-performer far from ones natural habitat?
At one time the circus-director says "All the elephant needed was love". A person would need that. An elephant needs to be an elephant. Please Oprah, be a little more critical and a little less teary eyed.

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Louder than a Bomb [HD]

Louder Than A Bomb
It never opened in more than four theaters, and it didn't receive a whole lot of press, so there's a good chance you never heard of this engrossing documentary. Louder Than A Bomb depicts the journeys of four high school slam poetry teams in the Chicago area as they prepare for the largest youth slam in the world, profiling individual backstories and attempting to capture the creative processes that drive the students. While it's a bit of a niche subject, and while the overarching themes are somewhat familiar, the talent on display and the heartwarming stories portrayed succeed in lifting the spirits so effectively that the film is worth watching. If you're looking for an engaging and inspirational film peppered with charming personalities and stunningly delivered poetry, definitely give Louder Than A Bomb a chance.

LTAB is an exhilarting event.
I first watched this documentary at Louder Than a Bomb's first event of the festival called Crossing the Street where everyone from various cities to do one thing which is poetry in 2010, where I first started slamming as a poet, and honestly this is the most enthralling documentary. Ever since the first time i participated at LTAB (Louder than a Bomb) i was hooked and I now participate in the college slma. I recommend everyone to watch this film to understand many youth, who love poetry.

Made me like poetry
A magical documentary, a moving 100 minutes of a story full of emotion, of people, of words. OF WORDS that make you jump in you chair, leave you with your mouth open, make you clap like you are there, in the crowd.
You realize maybe how many things you have not written in your life!
A must watch really!!!!!

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Flat Daddy

A must-see, apolitical look at the challenges facing our service men and women and the families on the homefront
Flat Daddy shows the personal side to military service that most Americans don't think about or understand. Service is a tough sacrifice on all family members and there aren't always great resources available for them to cope. This is a well-done, apolitical, thoughtful film depicting several different families' experiences. Highly recommended if you have loved ones in service and *especially* recommended if you do not.

A real-world look at our Military families and their warfighters
This was a very intimate view of the challenges, successes, and celebrations that our Military men and women - AND THEIR FAMILIES face on a daily basis.

I work for the best company in the world - and our focus is on serving these military families. The "Flat Daddy" project is a heartwarming way to help young families keep their Active-Duty mom or dad in their thoughts and prayers every day.

The best thing we can do for our warfighters is to keep the homefronts calm and keep the communications flowing. The best thing we can do for the families at home (with young children) is to keep their mom/dad front and center in their lives and in their thoughts.

Having a "flat" version of a parent who is at home, accessible, and can go on adventures is a simple, heartwarming way to remember and keep the relationship alive while that parent is away.

Kudos to the producers. This was a great idea and a great film. (But if you are not...

An important look at the impact of war on families.
This excellent film offers an unbiased window into the lives of the families Soldiers leave behind when they go to war. From grandparents taking care of the children of a military couple, to a mother struggling to make sense out of the loss of her son, the stories represent what families all across the nation are going through as their loved ones deploy far across the globe. Teachers and anyone who works with children should be particularly interested in this film, as it will help them understand some of what the children of deployed Soldiers are going through.

The film follows the daily lives of families dealing with the absence of their loved ones, treading carefully through a minefield of emotion without editorializing or becoming maudlin. The film successfully avoids any feeling of "reality" television, which must have been no easy task given the depth of emotions involved. The film's power lies in the subtle, almost understated way in which the directors invite the...

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Love Etc. [HD]

Wonderful Look at Love Without Sentimentality
I had no expectations of this documentary, but I was blown away by it. Five parallel stories of different aspects and stages of love and the search for love, rendered elegantly and without sentimentality. Exquisite editing, beautiful cinematography, and profoundly moving but believable stories make this, for me, one of the best documentaries I've seen in a long time. I was impressed with the honesty of it, done without the slightest degree of moralizing. It really makes you think hard about all the love around you.

Wowie!Loved it!
Wow! What a wonderful treat.This docu showed the good, bad, and the reality of falling and staying in love. From the harshness of young love, to the tenderness of a caring spouse taking care of his ailing wife,this docu kept me riveted from start to finish. It left me wanting more, like a great book, you did not want it to end......

An overlooked gem!
Love Etc. is a beautifully directed documentary that offers a realistic look at how several couples function in their romantic relationships. I was touched by the honesty of the participants. Candid, poignant, and intriguing!!

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Last Call At The Oasis [HD]

A Watery Mess
As someone who worked in the clean water business for many years, I was looking forward to this movie. We do have problems that we need to address. But this movie doesn't help us do that.

It's a mess. It is a long litany of complaints about water in the US, without offering one thing the viewer can do to help make things better. And we need for people to have concrete things they can do to help.

It gives a really incomplete picture of the progress we've made in this country. For example, it whines that the average toilet uses 6 gallons of water per flush. Well, this is a big change from the 12 gallons they used to use. And reducing it further can cause other problems. The movie doesn't mention that many sewer systems require a certain quantity of water to flush out the sewer mains. Lower the toilet flow too much and the sewage won't move through the system.

While it has a segment on recycled/reclaimed water, it doesn't mention how much of it is used in...

Not A Drop To Drink: A Cautionary And Important Tale About The Impending Water Crisis
As someone who has watched just about every environmentally themed documentary ever made, I find that they generally fall into one of two camps. Either they serve as a call to action with ways that you might better your life and the world around you or they bludgeon you with harrowing statistics that make the situation seem hopeless. For the most part, "Last Call At The Oasis" fits more soundly in the second category. Don't get me wrong, I think that the subject matter is incredibly relevant and timely. We can't just bury our heads in the proverbial sand while ignoring the looming water crisis. While Americans still consume enormous amounts of water with abandon, the deleterious effects of a worldwide shortage are in evidence almost everywhere you look.

"Last Call at the Oasis" is really broken into two sections. The first half of the film deals with the actual shortage of ground water. It highlights areas devastated by the lack of water and even points out impending...

A 'must see' if I do say so myself.
Well, I'm in it, so please take my remarks with a grain of salt.

Critically acclaimed by virtually every major newspaper and media outlet, this movie succeeds on so many levels. Most importantly, it's one of those films that everyone should see. It's an eye opener about a resource that most of us simply take for granted. We turn on the faucet, and, great(!), there's our cool, crystal clear water. The reality is, in many places around the world, this is just not the case. And, unfortunately, this is becoming much more of a challenge in the United States, as the 2012 mega-drought and the impact of Hurricane Sandy have recently exposed.

It's a masterpiece of documentary filmmaking in the classic sense. In my case (I'm a professor at UC Irvine), the crew actually captured the scientific discovery process in real time. When I talk about 'the water cycle spinning out of control' in the film, I'm actually thinking about our ongoing research that suggests that this...

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