HK AND CULT FILM NEWS

OUTRAGE: WAY OF THE YAKUZA -- DVD review by porfle

2012-01-28T22:56:00.000-08:00

When the CEO of a corporation decides to downsize, you get a pink slip with your paycheck. But when the big cheese of the Yakuzas thinks it's time to whittle down the old workforce, you're more likely to get ventilated. In Takeshi Kitano's OUTRAGE: WAY OF THE YAKUZA (2010), you need a program to keep up with all the guys who are being forcibly retired the hard way.

The Yakuza boss known as "Mr. Chairman" looks like a Japanese version of Dennis Mitchell's neighbor Mr. Wilson, a prime example of the banality of evil who orders executions as offhandedly as one might ask you to pass the salt. When an underling named Ikemoto is told to cold-shoulder rival family boss Murase, with whom he made a "sake pact" in prison, the resulting bad blood erupts into a domino effect of killing with a body count that would make Jason Voorhees green with envy.

This chain reaction of graphic violence has guys getting shot, beaten senseless, or maimed in just about every other scene. In fact, every time someone walks into camera range we wonder just when and how he's going to get it and who's going to do it. We never really get to know any of the loads of characters who pop up in the first part of the film just long enough to get whacked, and the dry, somewhat disjointed narrative doesn't become involving until well past the halfway point when it finally settles on one or two key players we can root for, relatively speaking.

Not that we really care about any of them--like one of the taglines says, they're ALL bad guys--but actor-writer-director Kitano's character of capo Otomo, a hangdog, workaday mobster who still retains a shred of honor from the old-school days, seems to have one redeeming quality, which is that he prefers to kill people according to some legitimate business strategy. With Kitano (who I'll always think of as Sgt. Hara in MERRY CHRISTMAS, MR. LAWRENCE) giving his usual good performance, Otomo's fight to keep himself and his crew from becoming obsolete is what keeps the film from being just a string of brutal vignettes.

Otomo expects to be treated fairly by his superiors, so he's understandably miffed when they betray the hell out of him after he's brutally murdered everyone on his to-do list. One of the most interesting things about OUTRAGE, in fact, is seeing whose dirty tricks, betrayals, and reprisals will ultimately prove most effective against everyone else in the ongoing power struggle. Unlike GOODFELLAS, it skips the part that shows the gangsters enjoying their criminal lives before greed and paranoia turn them against each other.

With all the killing going on in this movie, it's a wonder the surviving Yakuzas have anyone left to order around. Besides the old bang-bang, Otomo engages in some creative dentistry that will have you cringing, while his sense of humor comes to the fore when he orders someone to stick his tongue out and then cuts it off with an uppercut to the jaw. Another impromptu execution involving a noose, an automobile, and a guy who's in the wrong place at the wrong time displays more than a little ingenuity. Meanwhile, more conventional modes of killing and maiming occur in abundance yet their impact is lessened by our lack of emotional investment in them.

The DVD from Magnolia's Magnet label is in 2.35:1 widescreen with Japanese Dolby 5.1 sound and subtitles in English and Spanish. Extras include two making-of docs, various cast and crew interviews and Q & A's at Cannes, U.S. and international trailers and TV spots, and trailers for other Magnolia releases.

It's only in the last twenty minutes or so that the various characters and plot threads begin to gel enough for us to be fully invested in what's going on, as the web of deceit closes in around Otomo and his men and Mr. Chairman plays his final cards. The ending is so matter-of-factly unsentimental that I found it strangely exhilarating. I only wish that the rest of OUTRAGE: WAY OF THE YAKUZA, as superficially entertaining as it may be, was as engaging.

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THE DOUBLE -- DVD review by porfle

2012-01-28T00:50:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you like to sit down to a long, complicated game of chess. Other times, you just want to play a little air hockey. Compared to the drawn-out chess games of a Le Carre' spy thriller such as TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY, director Michael Brandt's THE DOUBLE (2011) is the equivalent of a few brisk rounds of air hockey--breathless and exciting, without the need to expend too many grey cells in order to appreciate it.

Playing the role of retired CIA agent Paul Sheperdson, Richard Gere shows what a deceptively subtle yet effective actor he's become over the years, especially now that he's no longer perceived mainly as an ambulatory fashion ad (although he stills look better than I do on his worst days). He's fun to watch here, using his understated skill to fully inhabit his character without having to overdo anything. Matching him all the way is former sitcom star Topher Grace ("That 70s Show") whose talents as a dramatic actor are fully realized as young FBI agent Ben Geary.

With the apparent reappearance of long-sought Soviet superspy "Cassius" in the USA--and his suspected assassination of a senator--Sheperdson is called back into service to resume the hunt for him while unwillingly saddled with the callow Geary as his partner. Naturally, they form a grudging respect for each other while seeking out the elusive Cassius, with Sheperdson becoming fearful that Geary, who has a wife and two kids, is unaware of the threat their ruthless quarry poses to himself and his family.

Their search is an exciting one which begins with a prison visit to former Russian spy "Brutus" (Stephen Moyer, "True Blood"), who then stages a frantic escape attempt, and leads a Cassius associate named Bozlovski (the imposing Tamer Hassan, KICK-ASS, FREERUNNER) whom they suspect of actually being the mysterious spy himself. Former boxer Hassan is an imposing and very physical actor who gives Shepherdson and Geary's attempts to capture Bozlovski a generous measure of hard-hitting excitement.

While simpler than your usual spy thriller, THE DOUBLE does have its share of big plot twists, one of which is revealed right there in the trailer. I'm giving it away in this paragraph (if you don't want to know, skip ahead) since writers Brandt and Derek Haas originally intended for it to be known from the start that Shepherdson himself is, in fact, Cassius, and has been working as a double agent all along. This amps up the tension between him and Geary and enriches his character by having him develop an attachment to the eager young agent and his family. What we don't yet know, however, is why Cassius is now acting on his own and what his secret agenda is.

But there are more surprises ahead which keep the story interesting enough while the action moves things along. The finale, which takes place in a warehouse district on the Potomac River (with Detroit standing in for Washington, D.C.), allows director Brandt to stage a good old-fashioned car chase between Gere and Hassan that's like something out of the gritty 70s. It's a cracking good sequence (which the editors of QUANTUM OF SOLACE would do well to study) that ends in a spectacular car crash stunt before proceeding to the final good spy/bad spy showdown and a parting plot twist that'll have the less prescient among us doing a mental doubletake.

The supporting cast is top-notch, including Martin Sheen as CIA director Tom Highland and Chris Marquette in an amusing turn as an FBI office drone eager to get points by helping Geary on the case. Odette Yustman (AND SOON THE DARKNESS, OPERATION ENDGAME) is winsome as Geary's unsuspecting wife Natalie, who helps to spark Shepherdson's humanity during a cozy family dinner. As the unpredictable Brutus, Stephen Moyer is all raw nerves and kinetic desperation.

Brandt and Haas, who also scripted 3:10 TO YUMA, WANTED, and 2 FAST 2 FURIOUS, have fashioned a Lite version of the old Cold War tales updated to modern times and adjusted to appeal to shorter attention spans. That's not always a bad thing (remember my clever "air-hockey" metaphor), and, in this case, results in a breezier than usual dash through spy-thriller territory. The film itself lacks that "A-list" look but is stylishly directed and nicely photographed. John Debney's musical score benefits from the participation of Rush lead guitarist Alex Lifeson, whose own composition "Don't Look Back" graces the closing credits crawl.

The DVD from Image Entertainment is in 2.35:1 widescreen with Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound and subtitles in English and Spanish. Extras include trailer, behind-the-scenes featurette, and an engaging commentary track with Brandt and Haas.

Lean, fast-moving, and fun, THE DOUBLE isn't the kind of spy thriller that involves the viewer on a deeper level like one of Le Carre's torturously taut epics, nor is it anywhere near as memorable. But it is entertaining, and sometimes that's all a movie really needs to be.

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NUDE NUNS WITH BIG GUNS -- DVD review by porfle

2012-01-26T23:36:00.000-08:00

Wanting to be a cult film so bad it hurts, NUDE NUNS WITH BIG GUNS (2010) gives its intentions away in the title but fails to be more than a mildly interesting exercise in giddy bad taste.

A lot of filmmakers post-GRINDHOUSE have been trying their hand at revisiting those dusty drive-in days of cheap, bad-but-good exploitation flicks that tried to be as extreme as possible while substituting shock and titillation for quality and production values. Here, one thing that's meant to blow our minds is the concept of crooked priests in cahoots with bikers in Mexico's heroin trade who force strung-out nuns to make the stuff (along with having to perform other, more degrading acts).

The other thing that's meant to hook us and reel us in is the sight of an avenging nun named Sister Sarah (Asun Ortega) gearing up Rambo style and going Nun-inator on the bad guys. (Habit optional, of course.) Having survived a dope deal gone bad in which psychotic biker prez Chavo (David Castro) offed several of her sisters, Sarah is then inducted into the local whorehouse where she's addicted to heroin and then beaten almost to death by a horny priest (Bill Oberst, Jr.). Nursed back to health by a sympathetic old medicine man, Sarah's drug-warped mind now believes that God has instructed her to go out and kill bad guys.

With that set-up, all NUDE NUNS WITH BIG GUNS has to do now is live up to its moniker while reveling in graphic debauchery, poking fun at Catholicism, and dabbling in any other naughtiness it can think of. This includes Sarah's lesbian love affair with another nun, the timid Sister Angelina (Aycil Yeltan, a cute actress who nonetheless bears a distinct resemblance to Zeppo Marx) and frequent voyeuristic visits to Chavo's strip club to check out the topless dancers.

Lesbian motel owner Butch is seen getting it on with her girlfriend, and then with Sarah herself after the nun seduces her in order to escape capture (this scene follows the original short film on which the feature is based). The film's blue-plate special of kink, however, seems to be rape--not only does the hapless Sister Angelina suffer the offending loins of Chavo, but his hulking stooge Kickstand has his way with a nun who appears to be in her seventies in a freaky, shocky-funny scene that had me wondering who in the hell it was supposed to appeal to and why. And then, of course, there's the family of unsuspecting tourists who pull into Chavo's gas station for a service and--you guessed it--get raped.

There's not much story here, just enough to hang stuff like this on while we're waiting for Sister Sarah to get around to killing off some of this scum. Unfortunately, the balls-out action scenes we're anticipating are few and far between. It's pretty cool when Sarah executes a vile priest in a confessional or invades a heroin-making lab with guns blazing, and her scene with Butch has a certain flair, but it isn't until the last minutes of the film that we get a sustained shoot-em-up sequence with any real kick.

It would've helped if Sister Sarah's character had been more interesting, yet we know nothing about her before the junk drives her bonkers and turns her into a remorseless killing machine. Her drug-induced "vision from God" leaves her with no moral uncertainties to explore, and the fact that she's clearly nutzo renders the character and her subsequent crusade of vengeance rather shallow--a little more complexity here would've gone a long way. Her appeal, basically, is based on a juxtapositon of religious imagery with wanton carnality, violence, and perversion. It also helps that she has a great ass.

Technically, the film has a low-budget but visually creative look with a sunbaked Southwestern ambiance. It seems to have come out of the same kit Larry Bishop used to shoot HELL RIDE, right down to the freeze-frame introductions for each character and reliance on neo-grindhouse style over substance along with various nods to Tarantino and Rodriguez.

The direction is pretty creative at times, with heavy use of the zoom lens (at times it seems every other shot is a zoom-in) which you'll find either dynamic or irritating. It looks like they had a ball in the editing room on this one. The interesting score contains spaghetti western elements (as does the film) along with some old-style country songs and the usual hard rock bombast.

The DVD from Image Entertainment is in 1.85:1 widescreen with Dolby 5.1 surround sound and subtitles in English and Spanish. Extras consist of the original short film and the trailer.

After starting out like a solid, slyly self-aware knock-off of the drive-in action potboilers of the 70s, NUDE NUNS WITH BIG GUNS eventually disappoints rather than fulfilling its potential the way the recent BITCH SLAP managed to do. A film as morally twisted as this one needs to have a certain zing that makes its gleefully offensive excesses somehow perversely exhilarating. Here, however, we're expected to simply wallow in the tawdry for awhile until a nude nun comes along to waste enough of these thoroughly unpleasant characters on our behalf to make it all stop.

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AGATHA CHRISTIE POIROT: SERIES 1/ AGATHA CHRISTIE POIROT: SERIES 2 -- DVD reviews by porfle

2012-01-25T22:41:00.000-08:00

Having been introduced to the British ITV series "Agatha Christie Poirot" through some of the later feature-length episodes, I was surprised to find the earlier seasons (circa 1989-90) of this long-running show to be faster-paced, funnier, and much lighter in tone--in general, more fun. Not to disparage the more darkly dramatic ambience of the post-2000 ones, which are superb entertainment in their own right, but I like this lighthearted and mischievously sly side of Poirot much better.

The first ten one-hour episodes are collected in AGATHA CHRISTIE POIROT: SERIES 1, beginning with "The Adventure of the Clapham Cook" (which features a brief appearance by a young Danny Webb of ALIEN 3 fame). Here, we're first introduced to Poirot's associate Captain Hastings (Hugh Fraser), a hale fellow with a boyish enthusiasm for things like automobiles and cricket. Hastings isn't too quick on the uptake, at least not alongside a genius like Poirot, but he's good at following people, tackling escaping suspects, and serving as an appreciative audience for the vain Poirot's feats of deduction.

Also on hand is Poirot's prim and efficient secretary Miss Lemon. As played by Pauline Moran, she's made up to look just plain enough to render her strangely sexy, despite the fact that her character is as properly straitlaced as can be. In Poirot's office-apartment in a magnificent old hotel complex, the three frequently engage in breezy banter that's often more fun than the mystery plots themselves. This early incarnation of Poirot, unlike his later self, delights in playfully teasing his associates and exercising his exquisitely dry wit at their expense.

David Suchet's portrayal of the title character is, as always, absolutely impeccable. His Poirot is an unwavering obsessive-compulsive who's fastidious, fussy, finicky, and mortified at anything that's out of place in his well-ordered world. This, along with the sheer joy he derives from solving puzzles using his beloved "little gray cells", is what compels him to make right the wrongs that he encounters through his often desperate clients. Another impetus is his friendly rivalry with Chief Inspector James Japp (Philip Jackson, also seen only in the early seasons of the show), a doggedly by-the-book cop who is continually baffled by Poirot's unconventional deductive skills.

"Murder in the Mews" begins with Poirot's infuriating battle with a Chinese laundry over the amount of starch in his collars and progresses to include a puzzling locked room murder made to look like a suicide. In "The Adventure of Johnnie Waverly", the parents of a small boy are warned in advance that their son is going to be kidnapped at a particular time and place, which happens despite the presence of several police and Poirot himself. "Four and Twenty Blackbirds" concerns the suspicious deaths of two estranged brothers within a short time of each other.

"The Third Floor Flat" finds Poirot's little gray cells atrophying during a long stretch between cases, until a murder in his own hotel has him sizing up all the various suspects as only he can. "Triangle at Rhodes" benefits from gorgeous location photography with a vacationing Poirot getting drawn into the murder by poisoning of a woman whose husband is infuriated by her infidelity with another guest. Another vacation, this time on board a cruise ship, is marred by a "Problem at Sea" when a wealthy but thoroughly unlikable woman is found stabbed in her cabin with the door locked. Everyone including the woman's henpecked husband seems to have a strong alibi, giving Poirot a particularly challenging mental workout.

"The Incredible Theft" is steeped in pre-WWII intrigue as a woman suspected of being a Nazi sympathiser is accused of stealing the plans for a new fighter plane in order to pass them along to German agents. Old movie fans should get a kick out of "The King of Clubs", as a tyrannical studio boss is murdered in his mansion and the main suspect is a popular actress with whom he's been known to be at odds. One of the perks of this episode is the use of an old-style glass shot during a soundstage scene, while another is the appearance of a young Sean Pertwee as the brother of the accused actress (Niamh Cusack).

Finally, "The Dream" has something of an "Avengers" vibe as a crotchety old meat-pie tycoon complains to Poirot that he keeps having a recurring dream of committing suicide in his office at a particular time. When he actually does just that, and at the precise time of his dream, Poirot finds himself with a real puzzler. Joely Richardson guests as the man's daughter, while Alan Howard delivers a marvelously theatrical performance as the abrasive old coot.

Each story is bathed in the nostalgic glow of an old magazine illustration, with finely-rendered production design (art deco fans will be in hog heaven) and ideal locations lending an exquisite period atmosphere to every scene. Direction is first-rate as are the uniformly excellent guest performances. Unlike the denser and sometimes meandering plots of the later "Poirot", these episodes are briskly uncomplicated and easy to follow in addition to featuring much delightful character interplay that will be missing (and missed) when Poirot becomes a more solitary and stern character later on. Captain Hastings and Chief Inspector Japp in particular are the perfect uncomprehending foils for Suchet's brilliant Poirot.

The three-disc DVD set from Acorn Media is in 4:3 full screen with Dolby Digital sound and English subtitles, with the titles newly remastered and in the original UK broadcast order. There are no extras. (Also available in a two-disc Blu-Ray version.)

Continuing right where season one left off is AGATHA CHRISTIE POIROT: SERIES 2, with nine more mysteries on three discs. "Peril at End House" guest stars Polly Walker (PATRIOT GAMES, CLASH OF THE TITANS) as a beautiful heiress whom Poirot meets while staying at a Cornish resort. The young woman's stories of a rash of recent life-threatening mishaps leads Poirot to believe that someone is trying to kill her, especially when a stray bullet zips through her bonnet as they're chatting by the seaside. This story boasts some really nice twists and turns along with an appearance by Paul Geoffrey (EXCALIBUR, WUTHERING HEIGHTS).

"The Veiled Lady" finds the portly detective helping another enchanting young lady, this time a blackmail victim imploring him to recover an incriminating letter. A highlight of this adventure is Poirot and Hastings becoming cat burglars as they break into the blackmailer's house to conduct a search which results in their being arrested by none other than Chief Inspector Japp. An imposing Terence Harvey of FROM HELL and PRIME SUSPECT 3 plays the formidable cad here, which seems to be his specialty.

A foray into Chinatown to solve the murder of a Chinese businessman and the theft of his map to "The Lost Mine" leads Poirot into a winding maze of mystery. In "The Cornish Mystery", the Belgian detective has a rude awakening when he's too late to save a woman who suspects her husband of trying to poison her. Her tragic death fires him up big time, and woe to the killer when a fired-up Poirot aims his razor-sharp intellect at him (or her). Freda Stanton, who played the hapless Princess Elspeth in DRAGONSLAYER, guest stars.

Kenneth Colley, a familiar face to fans of THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, plays a banker who steps out of his house into the fog one day and is never seen again in "The Disappearance of Mr. Davenheim." Sharp-eyed viewers will guess the secret behind this one pretty quick but it's still fun watching it play out. "Double Sin" is a real twister with the delivery of some priceless antiques to a potential buyer ending in theft during a bus trip. Here, Chief Inspector Japp bets the boastful Poirot that he can't solve the mystery without leaving his house, giving Hastings a rare opportunity for some solo detective work.

"The Adventure of the Cheap Flat" finds a lucky young couple getting a lovely apartment for a steal, unaware that they're being set up for murder. (The wife is played by Samantha Bond, who was Moneypenny to Pierce Brosnan's 007.) Poirot and Hastings do a little more cat burglary in this one with similarly unfortunate results, while the search for some stolen submarine plans brings in William Hootkins (Porkins in STAR WARS, Eckhardt in BATMAN) as a visiting FBI agent played in stereotypical blustery "American" style.

A crackerjack mystery ensues surrounding "The Kidnapped Prime Minister" as Poirot infuriates police with his methodical and seemingly nonsensical approach to solving the crime as the seconds tick away before a crucial international arms summit. Finally, "The Adventure of the Western Star" is the intriguing tale of a pair of priceless diamonds owned by two women who receive letters informing them that the gems are to be stolen in order to return them to the mystical idol from which they were taken. Sure enough, this occurs--seemingly--but Poirot suspects that there's more to the case than meets the eye, and, as usual, he's right.

The three-disc DVD set from Acorn Media is in 4:3 full screen with Dolby Digital sound and English subtitles, with the titles newly remastered and in the original UK broadcast order. There are no extras. (Also available in a two-disc Blu-Ray version.)

As with the first set, AGATHA CHRISTIE POIROT: SERIES 2 is the kind of cozy entertainment you can snuggle up with as you would a volume of engrossing short stories on a rainy evening. With their endlessly appealing blend of sumptuous production design, intriguing stories, and fascinating characters--not the least of which being David Suchet's masterful portrayal of the dazzling and strangely endearing Belgian detective himself--the adventures of Hercule Poirot are a feast for mystery fans.

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Best British TV on DVD - I, Claudius, J.R.R. Tolkien, Virginia Woolf, Sigmund Freud, Prime Suspect creator

2012-01-24T21:01:00.000-08:00

Acorn Media (British TV) and Athena (Best Documentaries) DVD Release Calendar

“Acorn Media, chief curators of the best Brit TV” –TIME Magazine

*Acorn Media on Facebook and Twitter

January 31

AGATHA CHRISTIE’S POIROT, Series 1 and 2 (Blu-ray debuts, DVD) – The first and second series of Agatha Christie’s beloved Belgian detective starring David Suchet. Blu-ray debut and DVDs are newly remastered and restored to their original U.K. broadcast order.

POLDARK: The Complete Collection (Value-priced collection) – “The BBC production seduces us completely” (The New York Times). A must-see for costume drama fans, Poldark is now available in a value-priced complete collection. Hailed as a British Gone with the Wind, the classic miniseries debuted on PBS in May 1977, was featured on “The Best of Masterpiece Theatre” special, and voted one of the 10 most popular shows in the series’ history in a recent PBS poll. The Emmy®-nominated miniseries tells the story of a dashing 18th century English army officer (Robin Ellis), who finds the trials and travails at home every bit as perilous as what he faced in war. INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY: Lead Actor Robin Ellis

February 7

NORTHERN LIGHTS: The Complete Collection (Home Video Debut) – Robson Green (Being Human, Wire in the Blood, Touching Evil, Reckless) and Mark Benton (Career Girls, Waterloo Road, Murphy’s Law) star in the lighthearted buddy Britcom. Broadcast on BBC America and produced from 2004-2008, the ITV series follows lifelong friends and rivals Colin Armstrong (Green) and Howard Scott (Benton) on a hilarious series of misadventures. Features all 12 episodes and two movies plus a 46 min. behind-the-scenes bonus feature.

NEW TRICKS, Season 6 (DVD Debut) – Retired cops solve cold cases in this smash hit, ongoing BBC series seen on public television. Combining compelling stories, likeable characters, and a top-notch cast, this long-running series stars Amanda Redman (Sexy Beast), Dennis Waterman (The Sweeney, Circles of Deceit), Alun Armstrong (Garrow’s Law, Patriot Games), and James Bolam (The Beiderbecke Affair) as a team of semi-retired and somewhat curmudgeonly detectives investigating cold cases. New Tricks has run on the BBC for eight seasons and has already been renewed for a ninth and tenth season.

THE BRONTES OF HAWORTH– This literary family biopic stars Michael Kitchen (Foyle’s War, My Week with Marilyn) in one of his early roles. This finely crafted portrait explores the soaring artistic achievements and personal tragedies of England’s most accomplished literary family (Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights). Featuring a stellar ensemble cast (Alfred Burke, Barbara Leigh-Hunt) and an outstanding script, this acclaimed period drama is a sensitive exploration of the Brontës’ tender and tragic family history. The miniseries aired in the U.K. in 1973 but has not aired on U.S. television.

February 14

BATTLEFIELD DETECTIVES (Athena, DVD Debut) – Seen on the History Channel, the series features new scientific insight into history’s greatest battles. Investigators re-create the conditions of history’s major battles using 3-D computer models, maps, artifacts, original footage, and dramatic reenactments. From the muddy fields at Hastings to the sweltering jungles of Vietnam, a variety of experts offer compelling new evidence on the wars that shaped the modern world. Produced in 2003.

ROBIN OF SHERWOOD, Set 2 (Blu-ray debut) – The conclusion to the definitive retelling of the Robin Hood legend with breakthrough roles for Jason Connery and Ray Winstone (Indiana Jones, The Departed, Sexy Beast). Presented in stunning high-definition, the Blu-ray 3-disc/DVD bonus disc set includes 13 episodes and more than nine hours of special features, including several now on the 2007 DVD release.

SHADES (DVD Debut) – “A quirky romantic comedy of life after death” (The Times), this poignant drama stars Dervla Kirwan (Ballykissangel) and Stephen Tompkinson (Wild at Heart). They meet in London under unusual circumstances…both are recently deceased. The two mismatched souls find themselves still in this world, thrown together in a weird and wonderful afterlife. This touching and gently humorous British drama explores what it means to have a chance to help—or hinder—those left behind. Produced in 2000.

February 28

MIDSOMER MURDERS, Set 19 (U.S. debut, DVD, Blu-ray debut of series) – Acorn’s best-selling series debuts on Blu-ray. John Nettles stars as the unflappable DCI Tom Barnaby, with Jason Hughes (This Life) as his earnest, efficient protégé. Guest stars include James Wilby, Kenneth Cranham, and Neil Dudgeon in his first appearance as DCI John Barnaby. These episodes were produced in 2009 and have not aired in the U.S. The Mysteries: The Made-to-Measure Murders, The Sword of Guillaume, Blood on the Saddle, and The Silent Land. PaperMag says about the series, “Phenomenally enjoyable… this show has only gotten better and better through the years…A sumptuous feast for mystery lovers.”

FRENCH FIELDS Complete Collection (DVD Debut) – The sequel to Fresh Fields offers a classic domestic comedy in the tradition of I Love Lucy. William Fields (Anton Rodgers, May to December, Lillie) and his wife, Hester (Julia McKenzie, Agatha Christie’s Marple) move to France. The complete collection includes all three series (1990-93).

THE BRIEF Complete Collection (DVD Debut) – From the creators of Inspector Morse, Alan Davies (Jonathan Creek) stars in the seriocomic misadventures of clever criminal law barrister, whose every day is a juggling act between surviving his messy personal life and pleading cases only he can win. Produced in 2004-05 and syndicated on public TV.

March 6

ABOVE SUSPICION, Set 1 (U.S. Debut) - A riveting new detective series from the creator of Prime Suspect. This ongoing, hit British police drama is a “younger, sassier successor to Prime Suspect” (The Telegraph). Rising star Kelly Reilly (Sherlock Holmes feature films) plays a rookie detective trying to prove herself in what is still mostly a man’s world. Acclaimed actor Ciarán Hinds (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Harry Potter, There Will Be Blood) co-stars as Anna's mentor. Includes two-feature length mysteries and behind-the-scenes segments.

AGATHA CHRISTIE’S POIROT Series 3 (Blu-ray debut, DVD) - Newly remastered and restored to their original U.K. broadcast order, the impeccable Hercule Poirot (David Suchet) is back on the case in these 11 mysteries from the hit series. Series 3 previously aired in 1991. As seen on PBS’s Masterpiece Mystery!

March 13

IN THEIR OWN WORDS (Athena, U.S. Debut) - Fascinating documentary with archival footage of great thinkers and novelists including J. R.R. Tolkien, Sigmund Freud, George Orwell, Jane Goodall, Salman Rushdie, Evelyn Waugh, Margaret Mead, and the only surviving voice recording of Virginia Woolf. Available to U.S. Audiences for the First Time with this release, this remarkable set gathers archival footage from BBC interviews, documentaries and films—much of it available for the first time since its original airing—with two programs British Novelists and Great Thinkers. The landmark programs were produced in 2010-11 but have yet to air in the U.S. With such rarities as J.R.R. Tolkien reading in his invented Elvish language and Jane Goodall discovering behavioral links between humans and chimpanzees, In Their Own Words serves as a real-life compilation of historic moments. As an overview of the social and political forces of the 20th century, it’s beyond comparison as compelling viewing and an exceptional glimpse of the geniuses who have shaped the modern world.

OUT (U.S. Debut) - Hard-edged BAFTA-winning crime drama makes its U.S. debut starring Tom Bell (Prime Suspect) in a BAFTA-nominated performance and Brian Cox. After an eight-year prison stint for a failed bank heist, Frank Ross returns to his old gangland haunts to find the snitch who sent him to jail. Available to U.S. audiences for the first time, the series aired in the U.K. in 1978 but never aired in the U.S.

March 27

I, CLAUDIUS: 35th Anniversary Edition (bonus packed with many previously unavailable extras) – Called “A true masterpiece” (San Francisco Chronicle) and rated one of the “100 Best TV Shows of All Time” by Time magazine, this epic BBC series spans the history of the Roman Empire from Augustus through Claudius, a stuttering scholar who learns early to play the fool and stay alive. Based on the novels by Robert Graves, it stars Derek Jacobi (The King’s Speech, Cadfael) in a career-defining role. Winner of an Emmy® and numerous other awards, this riveting tale of ambition, debauchery, and intrigue remains one of the most popular and acclaimed dramas in Masterpiece Theatre history. Siân Phillips (The Age of Innocence), John Hurt (The Elephant Man), George Baker (The Ruth Rendell Mysteries), Margaret Tyzack (Cousin Bette), James Faulkner (The Bank Job), and Patrick Stewart (X-Men) also star. BONUS Extended original versions of episodes 1 and 2; “I, Claudius”: A Television Epic, a behind-the-scenes look at the series (74 min.); The Epic That Never Was, a documentary recounting the failed 1937 film adaptation (71 min.); NEW Derek Jacobi interview (12 min.); favorite scenes of the cast and director (36 min.); and more.

SINGLE-HANDED, Set 2 (U.S. Debut) - A lone cop fights crime and corruption in rural Ireland in a new, ongoing detective series. His position as local Garda sergeant puts Jack Driscoll (Owen McDonnell, Wild Decembers) at the heart of his community—and often at odds with it. Filmed against the spectacular and foreboding backdrop of Connemara, this second set contains three new feature-length crime dramas.

MURDER INVESTIGATION TEAM, Series Two (DVD Debut) - Called “The U.K.’s answer to our CSI” and seen on A&E, the series authentically profiles the gritty realities faced by the Special Crimes Unit of London’s Metropolitan Police. From the creators of The Bill, this critically acclaimed police thriller follows an intense team of investigators led by DC Rosie MacManus (Lindsey Coulson, EastEnders) and DS Trevor Hands (Michael McKell, Emmerdale Farm). Claire Higgins (Hellraiser), Kenneth Cranham (Rome), and Anthony Stewart Head (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) guest star in these final episodes.

Coming up in April 2012: The Commander Set 2, Secret War, Bill Moyers: Capitol Crimes, Agatha Christie’s Poirot Series 4, Monroe starring James Nesbitt, and the debut of the original Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy on Blu-ray.

Early January Releases: The Windsors: From George to Kate (U.S. Debut, Athena), an absorbing 2011 documentary tracing the recent history of the British monarchy from the real King George VI (portrayed in The King’s Speech) through Prince William’s recent wedding; Man in a Suitcase, Set 2 (DVD Debut), the conclusion to the thrilling 1960s spy series features a candid and unfiltered, 69-minute bonus interview with star Richard Bradford (The Untouchables, Cagney & Lacey); Dr. Willoughby (DVD Debut), a hilarious behind-the-scenes television satire starring Joanna Lumley (Absolutely Fabulous); Bill Moyers: Amazing Grace (DVD Debut), an inspiring, Emmy-winning PBS documentary tracing the history of the beloved hymn; and George Gently, Series 1 (Blu-ray debut), likened to Foyle’s War and Midsomer Murders, Martin Shaw (Judge John Deed, The Professionals) stars as the principled detective George Gently during the tumultuous 1960s.

Image Entertainment goes "BENEATH THE DARKNESS" starring Dennis Quaid -- coming to Blu-ray and DVD February 28th

2012-01-21T21:47:00.000-08:00

Dennis Quaid Stars In A Thriller That Will Take Your Breath Away

IMAGE ENTERTAINMENT GOES "BENEATH THE DARKNESS"

Coming to Light on Blu-ray™ and DVD February 28, 2012

CHATSWORTH, CA – The rural bliss of small town life has been celebrated as part of the American dream, but sometimes a small town is the perfect place to hide one’s secrets, one’s mistakes, one’s sins. And once discovered, it doesn’t take long for the American dream to become the American nightmare. On February 28th, Image Entertainment unleashes the small-town shocker Beneath the Darkness on Blu-ray™ and DVD. Starring Golden Globe™ nominee Dennis Quaid in a rare villainous turn and coming off a recent national theatrical release, this gripping psychological thriller entwines cold-blooded murder, sinister secrets and modern hauntings on Maple Street. SRP is $27.97 for the DVD and $29.97 for the Blu-ray™, with pre-book on January 31st.

Directed by Martin Guigui (My X-Girlfriend’s Wedding Reception, National Lampoon’s Cattle Call) and written by the late Bruce Wilkinson, Beneath the Darkness is a taut thriller pitting high school kids against a psychotic killer in a community where adults blindly refuse to see the ominous dangers right before their eyes. Along with Quaid, Tony Oller (Nickelodeon’s “Gigantic,” Disney’s “As the Bell Rings”) co-stars as Travis and Aimee Teegarden (Scream 4, “Friday Night Lights”) co-stars as Abby.

In the film Quaid plays Ely, the well-respected mortician of rustic Smithville Texas, where he was once a heralded high school football star. Among the kids, however, he is legendary for a more sinister reason -- rumors that his house is haunted. The truth is, this pillar of the community is actually a flesh-and-blood monster who buries his victims alive; a sociopath who befriends adults and police while openly flaunting his murderous intentions to the youths. Beware Ely’s charming smile – it may be the last thing you see, looking up from your freshly dug grave...

Bonus features on Beneath the Darkness Blu-ray™ and DVD include a behind-the-scenes featurette and the original theatrical trailer.

ABOUT IMAGE ENTERTAINMENT
Image Entertainment, Inc. is a leading independent licensee and distributor of entertainment programming in North America, with approximately 3,200 exclusive DVD titles and approximately 340 exclusive CD titles in domestic release and more than 450 programs internationally via sublicense agreements. For many of its titles, the Company has exclusive audio and broadcast rights, as well as digital download rights to over 2,100 video programs and approximately 400 audio titles containing more than 6,000 individual tracks. The Company is headquartered in Chatsworth, California. For more information about Image Entertainment, Inc., please go to www.image-entertainment.com.

Beneath The Darkness Blu-ray™
Genre:                         Horror, Thriller, Slashers/Serial Killers
Rating:                        Not Yet Rated
Language:                   English
Format:                        Anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1)
Audio:                         DTS HD Master Audio 5.1
Subtitles:                     English, Spanish
Year:                           2011
M SRP :                        $29.97
Street Date:                 February 28, 2012
Pre-Book:                    January 31, 2012
Length:                        96 minutes
UPC:                           014381782059
Cat#:                           BTD7820BD

Beneath The Darkness DVD
Genre:                         Horror, Thriller, Slashers/Serial Killers
Rating:                        Not Yet Rated
Language:                   English
Format:                        Anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1)
Audio:                         Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles:                     English, Spanish
Year:                           2011
M SRP :                        $27.97
Street Date:                 February 28, 2012
Pre-Book:                    January 31, 2012
Length:                        96 minutes
UPC:                           014381780628
Cat#:                           BTD7806DVD

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Acorn's Biggest Contest Ever is Chance of a Lifetime for Mystery Lovers and Agatha Christie Fans

2012-01-20T22:00:00.000-08:00

QUEEN OF CRIME SWEEPSTAKES OFFERS MYSTERY FANS CHANCE OF A LIFETIME

Grand Prize includes trip to London, visit to television production, tour of Agatha Christie’s holiday home, trip on Orient Express, and more

Leading Distributor of British TV in the U.S. Acorn Media Launches Its Biggest Contest Ever on January 15, 2012

Silver Spring, MD — Offering Agatha Christie and mystery fans the chance of a lifetime, Acorn Media announces the launch of the “Queen of Crime Sweepstakes” beginning January 15, 2012. This celebration of all things Agatha Christie marks the largest contest ever from Acorn Media, the leading distributor of British TV in the U.S. The Grand Prize package features a trip for two to London, England (5 days/4 nights) and Paris (1 day/1 night); a visit to the set of a Poirot or Marple production; a tour of Greenway, Christie’s holiday home; tickets to see The Mousetrap, the world’s longest-running play; one-day rail trip to Paris on the Orient Express; and a DVD library of Agatha Christie programs.

Between Sunday, January 15 and Monday, April 30, fans can enter via Acorn’s popular catalog, www.acornonline.com/Christie, with one entry per day. At the end of the sweepstakes, one lucky fan will be chosen to win the Grand Prize (Value: $12,000). One runner up will receive a DVD library of Agatha Christie programs with more than 50 DVDs (Value $1,100).

The “Queen of Crime Sweepstakes” is open to legal residents of the fifty United States and the District of Columbia who are at least eighteen (18) years old at the time of entry. Winner drawn at random. Please visit www.acornonline.com/Christie for official rules and prize information.

Headquartered in suburban Washington, D.C., Acorn Media Group is the leading distributor of British television in the U.S. Acorn Media has released several DVD sets of television productions based on Agatha Christie’s works, including Agatha Christie’s Poirot with David Suchet, Agatha Christie’s Marple with Geraldine McEwan (Series 1-3) and Julia McKenzie (Series 4 and 5), The Agatha Christie Hour, Agatha Christie Mystery Lovers Collection, among others. In 2012, Acorn Media is releasing Agatha Christie’s Poirot in its original U.K. broadcast order and on Blu-ray for the first time; starting with Series 1 and 2 on January 31st with additional seasons to follow throughout 2012.

Having just celebrated its ten year anniversary, the Acorn catalog and its companion website offer Acorn Media U.S. DVDs along with third-party home video products and other high-quality gifts. The catalog’s 2011 circulation was 15 million.

In July 2011, Acorn Media launched Acorn TV, the first British TV focused streaming service, which offers a full season of 10 critically acclaimed, classic and contemporary British series to watch online. The content is refreshed weekly and has included several Agatha Christie programs.

"CORMAN'S WORLD" Invades Blu-ray and DVD March 27th From Anchor Bay Entertainment

2012-01-19T13:36:00.000-08:00

ANCHOR BAY ENTERTAINMENT PROUDLY INVITES EVERYONE TO ENTER "CORMAN’S WORLD: EXPLOITS OF A HOLLYWOOD REBEL"

Available on Blu-ray™ and DVD March 27th

“CORMAN’S WORLD is for anyone who’s in love with the movies...” -- Peter Gutierrez, Twitchfilm

“A hellzapoppin’, surprisingly heartfelt look at one of cinema’s most creative (and frequently overlooked) visionaries...” -- Drew Taylor, IndieWire’s The Playlist

“A delightful tribute...” -- Dennis Harvey, Variety

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – Anchor Bay Films proudly announces the March 27th Blu-ray™ and DVD release of one of the best reviewed films of 2011: Corman’s World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel. Fresh from its theatrical release – where it received rave reviews from The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Hollywood Reporter, Daily Variety, The Village Voice and more – Corman’s World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel presents a tantalizing and star-studded tribute to Roger Corman, Hollywood’s most prolific writer-director-producer, and seminal influencing force in modern moviemaking over the past 60 years. SRP for the Blu-ray™ is $29.99, and $26.98 SRP for the DVD. Pre-book is February 29th.

Roger Corman is perhaps the most prolific and influential Hollywood filmmaker in the history of the medium. His immeasurable imprint on American cinema not only spans over six decades, but has resulted in creating an indelible cinematic body of work as well as a legacy of training the next generation of actors, writer, directors and producers – many of whom have created cinema masterpieces of their own.

Directed by Alex Stapleton, Corman’s World interview roster boasts such modern Hollywood icons and cinematic luminaries as Oscar® winners Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro, Jonathan Demme, and Ron Howard; Eli Roth, David Carradine, Peter Fonda, William Shatner, Pam Grier, John Sayles, Brett Ratner, Bruce Dern, Paul W.S. Anderson, Peter Bogdanovich, and many more actors and filmmakers.

Bonus features on the Corman’s World Blu-ray™ and DVD include extended interviews, special video messages to Roger from select interviewees and the theatrical trailer.

About Anchor Bay Films
Anchor Bay Films is unique in that it offers the creative community a fully integrated distribution capability on all platforms and an international solution extending beyond the U.S. Anchor Bay Films is a division of Anchor Bay Entertainment and is on the ground providing quality distribution with operations in the U.S., United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, as well as distribution capabilities in other key territories. The company focuses on a platform release strategy for its films with an eye toward maximizing their potential across all ancillary distribution platforms. The company recently released the critically acclaimed comedy City Island starring Andy Garcia and Solitary Man starring Michael Douglas, Kill the Irishman starring Ray Stevenson, Vincent D’Onofrio, Val Kilmer, Christopher Walken, as well as Sundance Audience Award Winner happythankyoumoreplease starring Josh Radnor, Malin Akerman, Kate Mara, Tony Hale and Pablo Schreiber. Upcoming releases include, Meet Monica Velour with Kim Cattrall and Toronto International Film Festival award-winner Beautiful Boy with Maria Bello and Michael Sheen. Anchor Bay Entertainment is a subsidiary of Starz Media, LLC (www.starzmedia.com) which is a controlled subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation attributed to the Liberty Starz tracking stock group.

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NEW TRICKS: SEASON SIX -- DVD review by porfle

2012-01-18T20:46:00.000-08:00

We rejoin the crack--and slightly cracked--team of UCOS (Unsolved Cases something something) where we left off with Acorn Media's NEW TRICKS: SEASON SIX, and find out that the fun just keeps on going as these three retired geezers and their lady boss hit the streets to close those nagging still-open cases.

Detective Superintendent Sandra Pullman (Amanda Redman) is put in charge of unsolved crimes after her career hits a snag. The low-priority, no-glamour position also forces her to act as den mother for the trio of crotchety ex-cops who bring both their extensive expertise and unpredictable personalities to the job.

James Bolam (since retired from the show) plays Jack Halford, the most stable of the three despite the fact that his wife was run down by one of the criminals they're trying to get the goods on. Dennis Waterman, who sings the show's theme song "It's Alright", is politically-incorrect ladies' man Gerry Standing, still getting along famously with his three ex-wives. As uber-geeky, obsessive-compulsive, recovering alcoholic Brian Lane, Alun Armstrong is as technically brilliant as he is emotionally unstable, as his long-suffering wife Esther (Susan Jameson) will attest.

One of the joys of watching this BBC show is the relationship between these characters, which is often much more interesting than the cases they're called upon to reopen. We get to know them so well as people that their scenes shift easily from comedy to drama and back several times during each episode, within a comfort zone of familiarity that makes them fun to hang out with. More often than not their workday ends with a trip to the local pub, despite the fact that their professional interactions can be abrasive, overly intimate, and sometimes downright volatile.

Episode 1, "The War Against Drugs", begins with Brian entering a rehab clinic run by monks. Naturally, he stumbles across an unsolved murder which took place there several years earlier, and against his wife's wishes the team infiltrates the place in hopes of finding the killer. Episode 2, "The Truth Is Out There", starts out well with an alleged UFO crash near a U.S. Air Force base eliciting some lighthearted skepticism from all but space-case Brian, but becomes rather turgid as the story gets a little too dramatic and soapbox-y for its own good.

Episode 3, "Fresh Starts", is a scintillating mystery with a distraught young widower insisting that he's seen his dead wife walking around. "Shadow Show" is a good one for film fans with newly-released outtakes from an aborted movie project showing up on the net and allegedly depicting what may be clues to an unsolved murder. This episode gives us a behind-the-scenes look at fabled Pinewood Studios (home of the 007 soundstage) and ends with a hostage situation with Brian, of all people, acting as negotiator.

"Death of a Timeshare Salesman" is one of those stories in which the busy and not-all-that-interesting plot takes a backseat to our enjoyment of simply spending time with these characters as they try to sort it all out. Episode 6, "The Last Laugh", heats things up again as the alleged killer of Jack's wife, a loathesome crime boss named Hanson, pops up on UCOS' radar once again and gives the team another crack at finally nailing him for good. James Bolam gives yet another fine performance as Jack and displays the full depth of his emotionally scarred character, while David Troughton as Hanson plays the kind of smug, sociopathic thug you really want to see taken down hard.

"Blood Is Thicker Than Water" is one of the more interesting mysteries of the season, with the question of who was responsible for the deadly collision of a tugboat and a yacht leading to some searing revelations within two opposing families. This is topped, however, by the season capper, "Meat is Murder", which goes from a gruesome unsolved murder in a butcher shop to one of the most devastating events in DS Pullman's life. A jarring blow-up between her and Gerry Standing adds heat to the dramatic flames fanned by this cracking story, but it's Sandra's overwhelming personal discovery that serves as a tantalizingly unresolved season ender.

As usual, this set of "New Tricks" tales is well-mounted and filled with outstanding guest performances. Series regular Anthony Calf is on hand again as the team's supercilious overseer, D.A.C. Strickland, who takes the team lightly until their diligence garners accolades for him to bask in. The show's evocative musical score is the work of talented and prolific father-son team Brian and Warren Bennett, the former being not only a member of Cliff Richard's group The Shadows but also once part of 007 composer John Barry's band.

The 3-disc, 8-episode DVD set from Acorn Media is in 16:9 widescreen with Dolby Digital sound and English subtitles. As a bonus, a 20-minute behind-the-scenes featurette gives us the lowdown on the show's ADR and foley elements along with an interview with the Bennetts on scoring the show.

I've seen three seasons of "New Tricks" so far and still find it effortlessly engaging, even when I don't know what the hell's going on with the occasionally overly-busy plots (too many rapid-fire details to keep up with and my mind shuts down). As usual, it's what goes on between the plucky Sandra and her geriatric but inexhaustably lively charges that make NEW TRICKS: SEASON SIX an open-and-shut case of murder most fun.

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Season Three review
Season Four review

Film Chest Proudly Presents "ZAAT" on the CULTRA & HD Cinema Classics Labels

2012-01-18T13:35:00.000-08:00

Taking Cult to a Whole New Level … You Can't Keep a Bad Monster Down!

Sought-After '70s Classic Never Before Available on Video is Newly Restored & Remastered in HD

DVD/Blu-Ray Combo Pack Out Feb. 21st

NEW YORK CITY - Feb. 1, 2012 - For Immediate Release - Is the monster man, fish or devil? Everyone's dying to know (literally) in ZAAT - restored and in HD for the first time ever - available in a special DVD/Blu-ray combo pack Feb. 21 from Film Chest on the CULTRA and HD Cinema Classics labels.

Find out why ZAAT is an underground cult favorite, amassing an ever-growing legion of loyal followers over the past 40 years. See why scores of fans have refused to let this funky classic from the '70s die in obscurity!

In ZAAT (also known as The Blood Waters of Dr. Z), an obsessed scientist, Dr. Kurt Leopold (Marshall Grauer) - who has been scorned by his peers - is convinced he can transform humans into fish. In his isolated backwoods laboratory, he proves his hypothesis by turning himself into a horrible, vengeful creature (played by Wade Popwell) that is part man, part walking catfish!

Armed with his mutagenic chemical compound, ZAAT, the monster is bent on revenge, determined to turn the tables on humanity by making his fishy friends the dominant species on Earth. All that stands in his way are a small town sheriff (Paul Galloway), a dedicated young biologist (Gerald Cruse) and a couple of swinging agents (Sanna Ringhaver, Dave Dickerson) from the Inter-Nations Phenomenon Investigations Team (INPIT). Also starring Archie Valliere and Nancy Lien.

It's a southern fried fight to the finish (Florida style!) with the ecological state of the entire planet at stake!

Available on video for the first time in its original glory, digitally restored in HD and transferred from original 35mm elements, this DVD/Blu-ray combo pack contains a whole tackle box full of extras, including: feature-length audio commentary by cast and crew; original 35mm trailer; television spots; outtakes; radio interview; before-and-after restoration demo; and an original movie art postcard.

Produced and directed by Don Barton and written by Ron Kivett and Lee Larew.

Zaat is presented in widescreen with an aspect ratio of 16x9 and Standard Dolby Audio. Includes Spanish subtitles.

About Film Chest:
Founded in 2001, Film Chest offers high-quality content for a wide variety of production and distribution needs, boasting one of the world's largest libraries (10,000+ hours) of classic feature films, television, foreign imports, documentaries, special interest and audio-much of it restored and digitized in HD. Headquartered in Bridgeport, Conn., with offices in New York City, the company also produces collector's DVD sets, released on three labels. HD Cinema Classics are films painstakingly restored in HD - utilizing state-of-the art digital technology - from original film assets. American Pop Classics features classic American film and TV shows from the '30-70s. CULTRA showcases the best (and worst) of cult cinema, a cinematic cesspool of films that are surreal, eccentric, controversial, comical and scary but ultimately engaging and entertaining. With directors who were both visionaries and crackpots, these films were originally misunderstood and rarely a box office success, achieving status by word-of-mouth and underground distribution. Film Chest releases theatrically, on DVD and digitally on iTunes, Netflix, Amazon, Verizon FIOS and more. Visit us online at www.FilmChest.com

ZAAT (2 Discs)
Film Chest
Genre: Science Fiction/Horror
Original Release: 1971 (Color)
Not Rated
Format: DVD/Blu-ray Combo Pack
Running Time: Approx. 100 Minutes
Suggested Retail Price: $19.99
Pre-Order Date: January 13, 2012
Street Date: February 21, 2012
Catalog #: HDCC-010
UPC Code: #851169003100

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THE NINES -- movie review by porfle

2012-01-17T10:23:00.000-08:00

THE NINES (2007) is a hard movie for me to talk about because I really don't want to tell you anything about it. I derived a great deal of pleasure from watching this scintillating mystery unfold and go places I never could have imagined at every turn, so I'm hesitant to reveal anything that might deprive those of you inclined to like it as much as I did of the same experience.

If you're still curious, keep reading and I'll give away stuff that you shouldn't know in the next four paragraphs. But you can skip them if you want because I'll tell you up front: this is definitely one of my favorite movies that I've seen in a long time.

Part One (of three) is the story of a young TV actor named Gary who burns his own house down while torching some stuff his ex-girlfriend left there. The accidental arsonist is placed under house arrest, which he serves in the temporarily vacated home of a scriptwriter who's off shooting a television pilot. His "warden" is a smiling-but-stern publicist named Margaret who's determined to make sure Gary serves his time without further incident or damage to his career. Sara, a mysterious blonde woman next door, displays an aggressively romantic interest in Gary and then turns weird when he and Margaret begin to form a strong attachment.

During this time, Gary starts to notice some very strange things going on. He hears noises and feels as though someone else is in the house. A little blonde girl who can't speak shows up one night and beckons to him, then disappears. He turns around one day and, for an instant, sees himself standing there. He finds a note that reads "Look For The Nines", which is in his handwriting although he didn't write it. Every time he rolls a pair of dice, he gets a nine. Sara tells him to stay away from Margaret because he's a nine and she isn't. He overhears a heated exchange between Sara and Margaret which indicates that they know what's going on, and when the increasingly distraught Gary questions Margaret about it and demands the truth, she calmly explains that he is actually a...darn it, I just can't bring myself to give it away. Sorry.

Part Two is about a scriptwriter named Gavin who just shot a television pilot and is trying to sell it to a network with the help of an aggressive blonde producer named Susan. The pilot, called "Knowing", is about a couple and their little girl who break down in the middle of nowhere. When the husband goes off for help he never comes back, and the wife suspects that their mute daughter somehow knows what happened to him. Gavin tries hard to get his close actress friend Melissa cast as the wife, but when he's told that she's been dropped from the show, he has to break the news to her and they have a bitter falling out. Matters get worse when Gavin and Susan blow up at each other over the issue, and then they get really weird when he starts to see numbers floating over people's heads. He's a nine, by the way.

Part Three is about a couple, Gabriel and Mary, and their little girl, Noelle, who break down in the middle of nowhere. When the husband goes off for help he never comes back, and...well, you get the picture.

Trying to figure out what's going on in this movie and how it all ties together makes for one of the most fun and involving viewing experiences I've had in quite a while. It starts out with a deceptively lighthearted attitude which gets darker and more serious as things get more complicated, finally reaching an emotional level that lingers after the fadeout. Although there's no single revelatory moment as in THE SIXTH SENSE--in fact, much of the secret is revealed along the way--there's still a lot of satisfaction in watching the pieces of the puzzle fall into place one by one.

It helps to know that the six main characters are played by only three people. Ryan Reynolds (VAN WILDER, BLADE:TRINITY) is Gary/Gavin/Gabriel, always the guy who's in the dark about the strange things happening around him. Hope Davis (AMERICAN SPLENDOR, HEARTS IN ATLANTIS) is Sarah/Susan/Sierra, the blonde woman who keeps trying to clue him in. And Melissa McCarthy ("Gilmore Girls") plays Margaret/Melissa/Mary, who, for some reason, doesn't seem to want him to find out the truth. They all give excellent performances, while Dakota Fanning's younger sister Elle is very good as the little mute girl, Noelle.

This is the second directorial effort (after 1998's GOD) by John August, who also scripted. His other screenplays include BIG FISH, CORPSE BRIDE, and both CHARLIE'S ANGELS movies. The latter two seem to indicate that August is prone to turn to the dark side now and then, but otherwise he has a wonderfully vivid imagination that's on full display here.

With its mind-bending "through the looking glass" premise, THE NINES reminded me somewhat of THE MATRIX. But once Neo takes the red pill, the mystery is revealed and it turns into an action movie. Here, the main character doesn't fall down the rabbit hole. He's already in it--he just doesn't know it yet. Although early on, he comes closer than he realizes to figuring it all out when it dawns on him, for the first time, that he doesn't have a bellybutton.

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"The Killing" Season One on Blu-ray and DVD March 13

2012-01-15T20:47:00.000-08:00

DISCOVER AMC’S RIVETING EMMY® AND GOLDEN GLOBE ®NOMINATED CRIME DRAMA

The Complete First Season Comes to Blu-ray and DVD on March 13

LOS ANGELES (Jan 12., 2012) – Season 1 of AMC’s critically acclaimed new show “THE KILLING” comes to Blu-ray and DVD on March 13 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. With exclusive Blu-ray and DVD features, including an extended season finale, loyal fans and new viewers alike will dive deeper into the captivating mystery and complex characters that garnered the freshman series six Primetime Emmy® nominations and one Golden Globe® nomination. Catch up on the show that everyone will be talking about when “The Killing” returns to AMC for season two this Spring.

From writer, executive producer and series showrunner Veena Sud (“Cold Case”) “The Killing” ties together three distinct stories around a single murder including the detectives assigned to the case, the victim's grieving family, and the suspects. Set in Seattle, the story also explores local politics as it follows politicians connected to the case. As the series unfolds, it becomes clear that there are no accidents; everyone has a secret, and while the characters think they've moved on, their past isn't done with them.

“The Killing” stars Emmy® and Golden Globe® nominated Mireille Enos (“Big Love)” as Sarah Linden, the lead homicide detective that investigates the death of Rosie Larsen; Billy Campbell (“Once and Again”) as Darren Richmond, Seattle's City Council President and now running for Mayor; Joel Kinnaman (“Snabba Cash”) as Stephen Holder, an ex-narc cop who joins the homicide division in the investigation to find Rosie's killer; Emmy® nominated Michelle Forbes (“True Blood”) as Rosie's mother, Mitch Larsen; and Brent Sexton (“W.”, “In the Valley of Elah”) as Rosie's father, Stan Larsen. The pilot was directed by Patty Jenkins (“Monster”).

“The Killing” Season 1 Blu-ray and DVD features all 13 episodes and is loaded with exclusive special features including extended season 1finale, unaired deleted and extended scenes, gag reel, featurettes, director and cast commentaries.

SPECIAL FEATURES (Blu-ray and DVD)
--Commentary on the Pilot with Veena Sud
--An Autopsy of The Killing
--Deleted Scenes
--Gag Reel
--ORPHEUS DESCENDING - extended season finale
--Commentary on ORPHEUS DESCENDING

About Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, LLC (TCFHE) is a recognized global industry leader and a subsidiary of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, a News Corporation company. Representing 75 years of innovative and award-winning filmmaking from Twentieth Century Fox, TCFHE is the worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox film and television programming, acquisitions and original productions on DVD, Blu-ray Disc Digital Copy, Video On Demand and Digital Download. The company also releases all products globally for MGM Home Entertainment. Each year TCFHE introduces hundreds of new and newly enhanced products, which it services to retail outlets from mass merchants and warehouse clubs to specialty stores and e-commerce throughout the world.

The Killing Season 1 Blu-ray: (Catalog #2274800 U.S. / Canada)
Street Date: March 13, 2012
Pre-book Date: February 1, 2012
Screen Format: 16:9
Audio: English 5.1 DTS-HD-MA
Subtitles: English, French, Spanish
U.S. Rating: TV-14
Total Run Time: 11:27
Closed Captioned: Yes

The Killing Season 1 DVD: (Catalog #2274797 U.S. / Canada)
Street Date: March 13, 2012
Pre-book Date: February 1, 2012
Screen Format: 16:9
Audio: English 5.1 DD
Subtitles: English, French, Spanish
U.S. Rating: TV-14
Total Run Time: 11:17
Closed Captioned: Yes

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20-Century Fox and MGM Present Six Timeless Classics on Blu-ray For The First Time Ever January 24

2012-01-14T21:40:00.000-08:00

HITCHCOCK, ALLEN and WILDER TITLES MAKE BLU-RAY DEBUT THIS MONTH WITH SIX MOVIE CLASSICS

AVAILABLE FROM TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT JANUARY 24

Los Angeles, CA (January 13, 2012) – Another round of MGM must-see fan favorites comes to Blu-ray January 24, 2012 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. Six classics make this month’s new-to-Blu-ray releases some of the most exciting yet.

ANNIE HALL FAST FACTS:
UPC: 883904256427
Rating: PG
Total Run Time: 93 minutes
Aspect Ratio: Widescreen 1.85:1

ANNIE HALL SYNOPSIS:
Considered to be "Woody Allen's breakthrough movie" (Time), Annie Hall won four ACADEMY AWARDS® ® including Best Picture and established Allen as the premier auteur filmmaker. Thought by many critics to be Allen's magnum opus, Annie Hall confirmed that Allen had "completed the journey from comic to humorist, from comedy writer to wit [and] from inventive moviemaker to creative artist" (Saturday Review).

Alvy Singer (Allen) is one of Manhattan's most brilliant comedians, but when it comes to romance, his delivery needs a little work. Introduced by his best friend, Rob (Tony Roberts), Alvy falls in love with the ditzy but delightful nightclub singer Annie Hall (Diane Keaton). When Alvy's own insecurities sabotage the affair, Annie is forced to leave Alvy for a new life – and lover (Paul Simon) – in Los Angeles. Knowing he may have lost Annie forever, Alvy's willing to go to any lengths – even driving L.A.'s freeways – to recapture the only thing that ever mattered...true love.

MANHATTAN FAST FACTS:
UPC: 883904259671
Rating: R
Total Run Time: 96 minutes
Aspect Ratio: Widescreen 2.35:1

MANHATTAN SYNOPSIS:
Nominated for two ACADEMY AWARDS® ,and considered "one of [Woody] Allen's most enduring accomplishments" (Boxoffice), Manhattan is a wry, touching and finely rendered portrait of modern relationships set against the backdrop of urban alienation. Sumptuously photographed in black and white and accompanied by a magnificent Gershwin score, Allen's aesthetic triumph is a "prismatic portrait of a time and a place that may be studied decades hence" (Time).

Forty-two-year-old Manhattan native Isaac Davis (Allen) has a job he hates, a seventeen-year-old girlfriend, Tracy (Mariel Hemingway), he doesn't love, and a lesbian ex-wife, Jill (Meryl Streep), who's writing a tell-all book about their marriage...and whom he'd like to strangle. But when he meets his best friend's sexy intellectual mistress, Mary (Diane Keaton), Isaac falls head over heels in lust! Leaving Tracy, bedding Mary and quitting his job are just the beginnings of Isaac's quest for romance and fulfillment in a city where sex is as intimate as a handshake – and the gateway to true love...is a revolving door.

NOTORIOUS FAST FACTS:
UPC: 883904252498
Rating: NR
Total Run Time: 102 minutes
Aspect Ratio: Fullscreen 1:33:1

NOTORIOUS SYNOPSIS:
From legendary director Alfred Hitchcock comes this "torrid, tense, tinglingly suspenseful" (Cosmopolitan) film that ranks as one of his best. ACADEMY AWARD® Winner Ingrid Bergman* "is literally ravishing" (Pauline Kael), and Cary Grant and Claude Rains give "excellent performances" (Variety) in this "taut spy movie that delivers a romantic punch" (The New Yorker).

When troubled beauty Alicia Huberman (Bergman) is recruited by American agent Devlin (Grant) to infiltrate a German spy ring in postwar Rio, she accepts…but soon finds herself falling in love with Devlin. And when she receives orders to seduce a Nazi kingpin (Rains), Alicia must sacrifice the only happiness she's ever known for a perilous mission that could ultimately cost her and Devlin their lives.

REBECCA FAST FACTS:
UPC: 883904252542
Rating: NR
Total Run Time: 131 minutes
Aspect Ratio: Fullscreen 1:33:1

REBECCA SYNOPSIS:
For his first American film, Alfred Hitchcock teamed up with producer David O. Selznick (Gone With the Wind) to create a "spine-tingling" (LA Weekly) romantic thriller that Won the ACADEMY AWARD® for Best Picture. Based on Daphne Du Maurier's timeless novel, this dark, atmospheric tale of fatal obsession features Laurence Olivier, Joan Fontaine and Judith Anderson, as well as a "haunting score by Franz Waxman" (Leonard Maltin).

After a whirlwind romance, mysterious widower Maxim de Winter (Olivier) brings his shy, young bride (Fontaine) home to his imposing estate, Manderley. But the new Mrs. de Winter finds her married life dominated by the sinister, almost spectral influence of Maxim's late wife: the brilliant, ravishingly beautiful Rebecca, who, she suspects, still rules both Manderley and Maxim from beyond the grave!

SPELLBOUND FAST FACTS:
UPC: 883904252528
Rating: NR
Total Run Time: 118 minutes
Aspect Ratio: Fullscreen 1:33:1

SPELLBOUND SYNOPSIS:
"The secret recesses of the mind are explored with brilliant and terrifying effect" (New York Herald Tribune) in this fascinating psychological thriller from Alfred Hitchcock. Featuring powerful performances from Ingrid Bergman and Gregory Peck, this masterpiece of mystery, romance and suspense boasts an ACADEMY AWARD® -Winning score by Miklos Rozsa and a haunting dream sequence by Salvador Dalí.

Dr. Constance Peterson (Bergman) is a dedicated psychiatrist who puts all her passion into her work — until she falls in love with Dr. Edwardes (Peck). Unfortunately, it soon becomes clear that Edwardes is an impostor — an amnesiac — who may or may not be a cold-blooded murderer. Pursued by the police, Constance must decide whether to turn in her mysterious lover...or risk her life by trying to unlock the dark secrets in his mind.

THE APARTMENT: COLLECTOR’S EDITION FAST FACTS:
UPC: 883904252627
Rating: NR
Total Run Time: 125 minutes
Aspect Ratio: Widescreen 2:35:1

THE APARTMENT: COLLECTOR’S EDITION SYNOPSIS:
Winner of five 1960 ACADEMY AWARDS®, including Best Picture, The Apartment is legendary director Billy Wilder at his most scathing and satirical best. With audio commentary from film producer and AFI member Bruce Block and two featurettes— including a loving tribute to actor Jack Lemmon—this special Collector’s Edition is your chance to own one of "the finest comedies Hollywood has turned out" (Newsweek)!

C.C. Baxter (Lemmon) knows the way to success in business...it's through the door of his apartment! By providing a perfect hideaway for philandering bosses, the ambitious young employee reaps a series of undeserved promotions. But when Bud lends the key to big boss J.D. Sheldrake (Fred MacMurray), he not only advances his career, but his own love life as well. For Sheldrake's mistress is the lovely Fran Kubelik (Shirley MacLaine), elevator girl and angel of Bud's dreams. Convinced that he is the only man for Fran, Bud must make the most important executive decision of his career: lose the girl...or his job.

About Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music, and licensed merchandise. The company owns the world’s largest library of modern films, comprising around 4,100 titles. Operating units include Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., United Artists Films Inc., MGM Television Entertainment Inc., MGM Networks Inc., MGM Distribution Co., MGM International Television Distribution Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment LLC, MGM ON STAGE, MGM Music, MGM Consumer Products and MGM Interactive. In addition, MGM has ownership interests in domestic and international TV channels reaching over 130 countries. For more information, visit www.mgm.com.

About Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, LLC (TCFHE) is a recognized global industry leader and a subsidiary of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, a News Corporation company. Representing 75 years of innovative and award-winning filmmaking from Twentieth Century Fox, TCFHE is the worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox film and television programming, acquisitions and original productions on DVD, Blu-ray Disc Digital Copy, Video On Demand and Digital Download. The company also releases all products globally for MGM Home Entertainment. Each year TCFHE introduces hundreds of new and newly enhanced products, which it services to retail outlets from mass merchants and warehouse clubs to specialty stores and e-commerce throughout the world.

KILL LIST -- movie review by porfle

2012-01-13T13:49:00.000-08:00

One of those bad-vibes flicks that stays in your gut after you watch it like a meal that doesn't agree with you, KILL LIST (2011) is a movie that may not agree with you, either. But it's well worth staying with till the end if you have a strong stomach.

Director Ben Wheatley's mix of traditional and documentary style camerawork keeps us right in the story of an out-of-work hitman named Jay (Neil Maskell, ATONEMENT) whose relationship with fiesty wife Shel (MyAnna Buring, THE DEVIL'S CURSE, THE DESCENT) grows more volatile each day. During a disastrous dinner with old military buddy Gal (Michael Smiley, BURKE AND HARE) and his creepy girlfriend Fiona (Emma Fryer), Jay is offered a lucrative job in which he and Gal will eliminate a number of targets on a list given to them by a mysterious client.

After a long buildup showing Jay going through his everyday life with Shel and their beloved son Sam, the start of his murderous mission with Gal takes the movie down a dark path that gets more twisted and frightening with each new revelation. The first victim is a priest, whom the two hitmen assume must be guilty of some sexual transgression and thus deserving of his fate. The second is a man who refers to himself as a "librarian" and possesses some horrifying snuff DVDs that prompt an irate Jay to dispatch him as brutally as possible. This sequence, involving some very realistic gore effects, will either have you glued to the screen or scrambling for the door.

What first appears to be simply an ultra-violent thriller makes a sudden detour through the twilight zone before veering into full-out horror territory after Jay and Gal begin to realize just how sinister their unknown clients are. One tip-off for Jay is when victims 1 and 2 thank him for killing them. Another, during a meeting in which a dubious Gal tries to pull out of the deal, is the threat that both they and their families will die if they don't complete their mission.

Thus follows a descent into paranoia that infects every aspect of their lives as it becomes clear that they're part of a larger and more terrifying agenda than they could've imagined. The final scenes, which take place in a dark forest in the dead of night, have an almost BLAIR WITCH vibe only much more visceral.

Lead performances are all fine, with Neil Maskell totally convincing as a violent man who's not inhuman--he loves his family--but frightening because he's a human capable of the most monstrous acts. MyAnna Buring is a strong presence as Shel, making her love-hate relationship with Jay convincing and giving her character a no-nonsense resolve that will be amply displayed later on. As Gal, Michael Smiley has a less showy but equally pivotal role, while Emma Fryer's Fiona is just plain spooky. Much of the dialogue is improvised to give it a natural quality.

An early clue to where the story will eventually go is ominous: Fiona, excusing herself to go to the bathroom during dinner, scrawls a strange pagan symbol on the back of a mirror and then pockets a bloodstained tissue that she finds on the sink. To give away any more of the plot would be a disservice to potential viewers, so I'll just say that the rest of KILL LIST is a journey into some really dark, claustrophobic horror that's both pulse-poundingly tense, relentlessly downbeat, and, finally, downright grotesque.

(KILL LIST opens February 3, 2012 at IFC Center In NYC.)

Amazon Video-On-Demand

MAN IN A SUITCASE: SET 2 -- DVD review by porfle

2012-01-11T21:20:00.000-08:00

Richard Bradford's "McGill" returns for round two in Acorn Media's 4-disc DVD, MAN IN A SUITCASE: SET 2, containing the final 15 out of 30 episodes of this one-season wonder from 1967-68.

England's ITV network churned out some of the most popular shows of the 60s, such as "Danger Man", "The Saint", and "The Prisoner", and "Man in a Suitcase" is another popular though short-lived title in their illustrious roster. The main character, known only as McGill or "Mac", is a former American intelligence agent framed for treason in order to protect the identity of a Russian double agent. Unable to return to the US and still branded a traitor, McGill must now earn a living by hiring himself out to whoever has use for his unique talents.

These hour-long episodes are pretty nifty little yarns that can be anything from Cold War spy stories, action-adventures, mysteries, or whatever McGill happens to be involved in at the time. Sometimes he has to go undercover ("No Friend of Mine"), and sometimes he acts as a bodyguard for someone in danger ("Blind Spot"). "Night Flight to Andorra", the final episode of the series, is interesting because it's a vastly scaled-down version of the familiar "breach the fortress" story which demonstrates how to get the most out of a limited budget and resources.

Due to his vulnerable position as an official pariah, McGill is often doublecrossed not only by the bad guys but by those who have hired him as well, causing him to be perpetually wary of just about everyone. But unlike the cold, ruthless anti-heroes we're used to seeing, McGill has a soft spot for people in trouble and an easygoing manner that usually emerges around the ladies.

As usual, the most interesting thing about the show is simply watching the quirky Texas-born actor Richard Bradford act. Never just walking through an episode by rote like many television series stars, the prematurely-grayhaired Bradford tries to find little things for his character to do in every scene to perk up the usual dialogues. Sometimes it may be something as simple as a weird expression or unexpected attitude or reaction--one often wonders if it's McGill or Bradford who seems so amused by it all at times.

I'm not even sure if Bradford's acting is all that consistently good, but it's always fun to watch. He reminds me of another TV method actor, Michael Parks of "Then Came Bronson", who at times also seemed to be on an altogether different plane from his costars. Bradford is constantly finding bits of business or interesting ways of interpreting his lines which will lend some added freshness to the standard situations in which his character finds himself.

While far from lavish, the shows are well-produced and are helmed by talented directors such as John Glen (FOR YOUR EYES ONLY), Don Chaffey (JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS, ONE MILLION YEARS, B.C.), and Hammer Films mainstay Freddie Francis. The scripts, some of which are recycled from other shows, take McGill all over the world although in fact he rarely leaves the backlot.

Although filmed in the late 60s, we rarely see the usual lame attempts to play up the "mod" angle so prevalent in shows of that era (a couple of exceptions prove rather awkward, however, with McGill bopping around amidst an undulating gaggle of ersatz hipsters). As always, one of the best features of the series is its cool theme music by Ron Grainer.

Familiar faces abound in guest roles, many of them much younger than we're used to seeing them. Felicity Kendall ("Rosemary & Thyme") is cute as a button playing a blind girl in need of Mac's protection ("Blind Spot"). Colin Blakely, who also appeared in the first episode aired ("Brainwash"), does a fine job as a priest trying to avert a revolt by aggrieved Africans against their unscrupulous white employer in "The Whisper." In a comical episode that is one of the series' worst, "The Jigsaw Man", actor-director Michael Sarne (MYRA BRECKINRIDGE) appears as a kooky sculptor sponging off of a free-spirited heir to a fortune in order to buy clay to complete his "masterpiece."

Ferdy Mayne is menacing in "The Revolutionaries", which also features Bruce Boa ("General Rieekan" of THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK). In his second series appearance, Donald Sutherland is a trigger-happy psycho killing his way through his former crime partners to get to a fortune in stolen gold ("Which Way Did He Go, McGill?") A star of his own successful series many years later ("A Mind to Kill"), a barely-recognizable Philip Madoc does two guest shots in this set. 50s and 60s horror/sci-fi stalwart Robert Hutton (THE MAN WITHOUT A BODY, THE SLIME PEOPLE, COLOSSUS OF NEW YORK) plays a man who hires McGill to find out whether or not his wife is going insane in "Who's Mad Now?"

The 4-disc set from Acorn Media is in 4:9 full screen with Dolby sound and, unlike Set 1, English subtitles. Along with a photo gallery on each disc, the main bonus feature is a recent 69-minute interview with Richard Bradford which fans will not want to miss. Honest, intimate, sometimes wistful, and occasionally rambling, the soft-spoken Bradford recounts his history as an actor and talks of his battles with indifferent execs and coworkers on "Man in a Suitcase" and his struggles to improve the show. Happily, he seems content with his life as an actor: "I'm truly just one blessed human being on this planet."

Not quite a cop, secret agent, or P.I. but with qualities of all three, the McGill character engages in a pleasing variety of cases that are always surprising in some way. While not as flamboyant as some of the other ITV series of its time, MAN IN A SUITCASE: SET 2 is solid entertainment that's heavy on 60s atmosphere and nostalgia.

Buy it at Amazon.com

"IMMORTALS" on 3D Blu-ray, Blu-ray and DVD March 6

2012-01-11T00:54:00.000-08:00

EPIC BATTLES COME TO LIFE ON STUNNING BLU-RAY

Featuring Alternate Beginning and Endings Visually-Striking Film Explodes on 3D Blu-ray Combo Pack, Blu-ray Triple Play and DVD March 6

LOS ANGELES, CA (Jan. 10, 2012) – One brave warrior, touched by the gods, must overcome all odds to save mankind from a merciless and powerful tyrant when IMMORTALS comes to Blu-ray and DVD on March 6th from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. Directed by visionary filmmaker Tarsem Singh (The Cell, The Fall) and written by Charles Parlapanides and Vlas Parlapanides, the home entertainment release is chock-full of must-see bonus features including an alternate beginning, two alternate endings, deleted scenes and an amazing graphic novel, creating the ultimate viewing experience.

From the producers of 300, Mark Canton, Gianni Nunnari, and Relativity’s CEO Ryan Kavanaugh, IMMORTALS explodes off the screen with action-packed battles, mythological adventure and an all-star cast including: Henry Cavill (Superman: Man of Steel), Luke Evans (Robin Hood), Kellan Lutz (Twilight), Isabel Lucas (Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen), Freida Pinto (Slumdog Millionaire), Stephen Dorff (Public Enemies), John Hurt (Hellboy) and Mickey Rourke (Iron Man 2).

In this epic tale of vengeance and destiny, power-mad King Hyperion (Rourke) threatens to destroy all of humanity on his maniacal quest to obtain the ultimate weapon – the legendary Epirus Bow that gives the power to unleash war on both Heaven and Earth. But Theseus (Cavill), a heroic young villager chosen by the gods, rises up to stop Hyperion’s brutal rampage. With supernatural help from the beautiful oracle Phaedra (Pinto), Theseus embraces his destiny and leads a fierce band of warriors in a desperate fight for the future of mankind.

IMMORTALS is available on Blu-ray and DVD on March 6th and was theatrically-released by Relativity Media on November 11, 2011.

SPECIAL FEATURES (Blu-ray plus Digital Copy):
--Alternate Opening
--–    Young Theseus
--Two Alternate Endings
--–    This Is Our Last Embrace
--–    Theseus Kills Hyperion
--Behind-The-Scenes Featurettes
--–    It’s No Myth
--–    Caravaggio Meets Fight Club: Tarsem’s Vision
--Deleted Scenes
--Immortals: Gods & Heroes (Graphic Novel)

SPECIAL FEATURES (DVD):
--Deleted Scenes
--Behind-The-Scenes Featurettes
        –    It’s No Myth

About Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, LLC (TCFHE) is a recognized global industry leader and a subsidiary of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, a News Corporation company. Representing 75 years of innovative and award-winning filmmaking from Twentieth Century Fox, TCFHE is the worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox film and television programming, acquisitions and original productions on DVD, Blu-ray Disc Digital Copy, Video On Demand and Digital Download. The company also releases all products globally for MGM Home Entertainment. Each year TCFHE introduces hundreds of new and newly enhanced products, which it services to retail outlets from mass merchants and warehouse clubs to specialty stores and e-commerce throughout the world.

"BATTLE ROYALE" and "BATTLE ROYALE: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION" -- First North American DVD and Blu-ray Release March 20th From Anchor Bay Entertainment

2012-01-09T22:49:00.000-08:00

“If you love The Hunger Games, BATTLE ROYALE sets the stage. One of the best – and most violent – genre films ever made. It’s also a hell of a lot of fun.” --Chris Nashawaty, Entertainment Weekly

“BATTLE ROYALE is not just a fantastic film, but an important work on a precipice of the most dangerous period facing cinema in the last 40 years.” -- Harry Knowles, Ain’t It Cool News

ONE OF THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL FILMS IN HISTORY FINALLY ARRIVES! "BATTLE ROYALE"

Available for the first time in North America on Blu-ray™, DVD and digital download on March 20th from Anchor Bay Entertainment

Beverly Hills, CA – Battle Royale. A title that has shocked, thrilled and unnerved audiences. A film whose fiendishly simple premise has inspired many imitations, including the upcoming The Hunger Games motion picture. Based on the 1999 global best-seller by Koushun Takami, the futuristic tale first came to the screen in 2000, directed by the legendary Kinju Fukasaku. Authors, filmmakers and film fans the world over consider the film and its 2003 sequel Battle Royale II: Requiem sacred cinematic classics. And now, fans can own them on high-definition Blu-ray™ and DVD!

On March 20th, Anchor Bay Entertainment proudly brings the Battle Royale: The Complete Collection to Blu-ray™ and DVD for the first time in North America. Featuring state-of-the-art HD transfers, hi-res audio and a wealth of bonus features that delve deep into this truly international phenomenon - the three disc Blu-ray™ plus bonus DVD set has an SRP of $49.99 and an SRP $44.98 for the four disc DVD. Battle Royale will also be released separately on Blu-ray™ for an SRP of $29.99 and DVD for an SRP of $24.98. Pre-Book on both is February 22. Battle Royale will be available digitally via select outlets including iTunes® and Xbox LIVE®.

42 students, Three days, One survivor – No Escape. Welcome to the world of Battle Royale!

Battle Royale
In the near future, the economy has collapsed, unemployment has soared and juvenile crime has exploded. Fearful of their nation’s youth, the Japanese government passes The BR Law: Each year, a 9th grade class is sent to a remote island where they will be locked into exploding neck collars, given a random weapon, and forced to hunt and kill each other until there is only one survivor left. Chiaki Kuriyama (Kill Bill) and screen legend Takeshi Kitano (Boiling Point, Brother) star in the movie that has been argued, acclaimed and banned around the world. More than a decade later, it remains one of the most savage, shocking and emotionally powerful films of all time. Now experience the complete Director’s Cut of Kinji Fukasaku’s uncompromising masterpiece – nominated for 10 Japanese Academy Awards® – available uncensored and unrated for the first time ever in America.

Battle Royale: The Complete Collection
In 2000, director Kinji Fukasaku unleashed Battle Royale, his violently poetic epic about an innocent group of Junior High students forced by the government to hunt and kill their classmates for sport. It was nominated for 10 Japanese Academy Awards®, launched a global phenomenon, and banned from screens by frightened civic groups and distributors across America. Three years later, the equally disturbing sequel – featuring a new class, new rules, and a brutal terrorist plot by the first film’s young survivors – triggered its own tragic firestorm around the world. Now for the first time ever, you can see it all: Experience the entire Battle Royale saga on 4 discs that forever blasts open one of the most potent, shocking and savagely influential sagas in motion picture history.

Battle Royale: The Complete Collection’s four disc set in collectible high-end packaging will include:
·        Battle Royale Director’s Cut with both Japanese and English language tracks and English subtitles
·        Battle Royale Theatrical Cut with both Japanese and English language tracks and English subtitles
·        Battle Royale II with Japanese language and English subtitles
·        Battle Royale Bonus Content with Japanese language and English subtitles

SPECIAL FEATURES:
·        The Making Of BATTLE ROYALE
·        BATTLE ROYALE Press Conference
·        Instructional Video: Birthday Version
·        Audition & Rehearsal Footage
·        Special Effects Comparison Featurette
·        Tokyo International Film Festival 2000
·        Battle Royale Documentary
·        Basketball Scene Rehearsals
·        Behind-The-Scenes Featurette
·        Filming On-Set
·        Original Theatrical Trailer
·        Special Edition TV Spot
·        TV Spot: Tarantino Version

The Battle Royale release will include:
·        Director’s Cut with Japanese and English language and English subtitles

With impeccable direction by three-time ‘Director of the year’ Kinji Fukasaku, and featuring high-quality acting performances from every angle, Battle Royale: The Complete Collection is as cunning as it is ruthless, offering a unique and brutal depiction of what people are capable of when imminent death is everywhere you look.

About Anchor Bay Entertainment:
Anchor Bay Entertainment is the home entertainment division of Starz Media, LLC. It includes the Anchor Bay Films and Manga Entertainment brands. It distributes feature films, children’s entertainment, fitness, TV series, documentaries, anime and other filmed entertainment on Blu-ray™ and DVD formats. Headquartered in Beverly Hills, CA, Anchor Bay Entertainment has offices in Troy, MI, as well as Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia. Starz Media (www.starzmedia.com) is an operating unit of Starz, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation (NASDAQ: LMCA).

BATTLE ROYALE: The Complete Collection Blu-ray (3 disc plus bonus DVD)
Genre:                          Action/Drama, Thriller
Street Date:                  March 20, 2012
Pre-book:                     February 22, 2012
SRP:                            $49.99
Cat #:                           BD24401
UPC:                            0 1313 24401-9 4

Disc 1 – Battle Royale Director’s Cut:
Run Time:                     122 minutes
Rating:                          Not Rated
Format:                        Anamorphic Widescreen (1.78:1)
Audio:                          Japanese Dolby TrueHD 7.1 and English Dolby TrueHD 5.1
Subtitles:                       English

Disc 2 – Battle Royale Theatrical Cut:
Run Time:                     113 minutes
Rating:                          Not Rated
Format:                        Anamorphic Widescreen (1.78:1)
Audio:                          Japanese and English Dolby TrueHD 5.1
Subtitles:                       English

Disc 3 – Battle Royale II: Revenge Director’s Cut:
Run Time:                     133 minutes
Rating:                          Not Rated
Format:                        Anamorphic Widescreen (1.85:1)
Audio:                          Japanese Dolby TrueHD 5.1
Subtitles:                       English

Disc 4 – Battle Royale Special Features DVD:
Run Time:                     194 minutes
Rating:                          Not Rated
Format:                        Full-Frame (1.33:1)
Audio:                          Japanese Dolby Surround 2.0
Subtitles:                       English

BATTLE ROYALE: The Complete Collection DVD (4 disc)
Genre:                          Action/Drama, Thriller
Street Date:                  March 20, 2012
Pre-book:                     February 22, 2012
SRP:                            $44.98
Cat #:                           DV24566
UPC:                            0 1313 24566-9 0

Disc 1 – Battle Royale Director’s Cut:
Run Time:                     122 minutes
Rating:                          Not Rated
Format:                        Anamorphic Widescreen (1.78:1)
Audio:                          Japanese and English Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles:                       English

Disc 2 – Battle Royale Theatrical Cut:
Run Time:                     113 minutes
Rating:                          Not Rated
Format:                        Anamorphic Widescreen (1.78:1)
Audio:                          Japanese and English Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles:                       English

Disc 3 – Battle Royale II: Revenge Director’s Cut:
Run Time:                     133 minutes
Rating:                          Not Rated
Format:                        Anamorphic Widescreen (1.85:1)
Audio:                          Japanese Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles:                       English

Disc 4 – Battle Royale Special Features:
Run Time:                     194 minutes
Rating:                          Not Rated
Format:                        Full-Frame (1.33:1)
Audio:                          Japanese Dolby Surround 2.0
Subtitles:                       English

BATTLE ROYALE Director’s Cut Blu-ray
Genre:                          Action/Drama, Thriller
Street Date:                  March 20, 2012
Pre-book:                     February 22, 2012
Cat. #:                          BD23767
UPC:                            0 1313 23767-9 0
Run Time:                     122 minutes
Rating:                          Not Rated
SRP:                            $29.99
Format:                        Anamorphic Widescreen (1.78:1)
Audio:                          Japanese Dolby TrueHD 7.1 and English Dolby TrueHD 5.1
Subtitles:                       English

BATTLE ROYALE Director’s Cut DVD
Genre:                          Action/Drama, Thriller
Street Date:                  March 20, 2012
Pre-book:                     February 22, 2012
Cat. #:                          DV23762
UPC:                            0 1313 23762-9 5
Run Time:                     122 minutes
Rating:                          Not Rated
SRP:                            $24.98
Format:                        Anamorphic Widescreen (1.78:1)
Audio:                          Japanese and English Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles:                       English

DIVISION III: FOOTBALL'S FINEST -- DVD review by porfle

2012-01-09T02:12:00.000-08:00

As an Andy Dick fan, I may not be qualified to review an Andy Dick movie because I have a tendency to think he's really funny, which gives normal people the impression that it's a good movie even though they may actually find it quite the opposite. Regarding the recent college football comedy DIVISION III: FOOTBALL'S FINEST (2011), for example--I loved it. Please take this into consideration.

Anyway, for a low-budget comedy, this is not only well-made and loaded with funny gags and good performances by a gaggle of talented comic actors, but it's also a pretty decent football flick. Dick stars as hotheaded and controversial coach Rick Vice, known for once trying to murder his entire Pee Wee League team and now hired to shape up the "Blue Cocks", the losing team of a small liberal arts college whose ditzy football-hating president Georgia Anne (Mo Collins) hopes Vice's infamy will net her school some publicity.

Dick's volatile and tightly-wound character is a perfect vehicle for his brand of comedy as Coach Vice mercilessly berates, threatens, and physically attacks his players at every opportunity while also reeling off a series of nonsensical spittle-spewing diatribes filled with botched metaphors. The obligatory training montage finds him either breaking clipboards and folding chairs over his players' heads or riding a bicycle onto the field wielding a yardage marker like a jousting lance as the team runs for their lives.

Director and co-writer Marshall Cook nicely underplays the role of benchwarming quarterback Mitch DePrima, who gets his big chance when the star QB defects to a rival team, the Cougars (we know the Blue Cocks and the Cougars will clash in the big game at the end--that's just how these things work). Mitch gains confidence and a sense of purpose over the course of the film in addition to awkwardly courting the team's pretty medic, Jennifer (Alison Haislip), and his pleasantly amusing story arc doesn't intrude on the more farcical goings-on.

Michael Jace is fine as Roy Goodwyn, hired by Georgia Anne as a back-up coach because he actually knows what he's doing, and the jealous rivalry between Roy and Rick provides some good moments. Co-writer Paul Henderson shines as Rick's obese, endearingly crude assistant Bob, especially when asked to deliver a pre-game prayer in the locker room that turns into a ringing assault against "evilution" ("Now I don't know about you, but MY Jesus...he didn't slay those Philistines with the jawbone of a brontosaurus rex!") Rounding out the main cast is Bru Muller as linebacker Joe Jansen, who, at 38, is apprehensively facing the prospect of his final college football season.

Making the most of its meager budget, DIVISION III: FOOTBALL'S FINEST breezily yocks up all the familiar football film cliches as the team battles its way to the championship game (which is actually pretty suspenseful), infusing the usual situations with Andy Dick's own peculiar brand of off-kilter comedy. Much of it is improvised, with the bonus menu's deleted and extended scenes containing reams of good material that didn't make it into the final cut.

The delightful and somewhat MILF-a-licious Mo Collins contributes her share of these comic moments, along with fellow "MADtv" alumni Debra Wilson as nympho head cheerleader Mandy and Bryan Callen as inept sportscaster Denny "D-Dog" Dawson. Will Sasso and a wickedly sarcastic Adam Carolla bring on the funny as sparring sports commentators for a local cable channel. The venerable Sally Kirkland appears briefly as Rick's politically-incorrect landlady, Crystal.

The DVD from Image Entertainment is in 1.78:1 widescreen with Dolby 5.1 surround. Subtitles are in English and Spanish. In addition to a funny and engaging commentary track by Andy Dick and Marshall Cook, bonus material includes outtakes, several deleted and extended scenes, and a trailer. (Just to be extra nitpicky, the word "extended" is spelled wrong on the DVD menu.)

Like a poor man's THE LONGEST YARD crossed with "The Andy Dick Show", DIVISION III: FOOTBALL'S FINEST manages to succeed both as a modest gridiron flick and a series of off-the-wall gags, tirades, outbursts, assaults, and ridiculous monologues. If you like Andy Dick, you'll definitely have fun watching this. If not, then you probably won't watch it anyway. And if you don't know who Andy Dick is, well, don't say I didn't warn you. Even though, technically, I didn't.

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DVD
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A LOVER'S REVENGE -- movie review by porfle

2012-01-07T21:48:00.000-08:00

(This review was originally posted in 2005.)

What happens when a radio psychologist who spews relationship advice to others on a daily basis finds herself in the middle of her own sordid "life crisis"? If there's a dangerous psycho involved, it can get pretty scary.

No, I'm not talking about Dr. Laura and those nude photos. In this made-for-Lifetime thriller A LOVER'S REVENGE (2005), it's Dr. Liz Manners (Alexandra Paul), and she's just found out that her husband Rob (Gary Hudson) is a big dummy who charges dinners-for-two on their mutual credit card when he's supposed to be out of town on business. Yes, he's been getting a very different kind of relationship advice from another woman.

Dr. Liz throws him out of the house and then seeks out the woman who produces her radio show so they can discuss the problem over a couple of International Coffees. Rob, however, still loves Liz and wants to move back into the house, because that's where all of his clean underwear is. So he breaks it off with Ashley, the blonde floozy he's been sheet-surfing with, buys a big bunch of long-stemmed roses, and comes crawling back. But when he walks in, he's surprised to find some crazy guy with a gun in his house.

If you're a Perry Mason fan, you'll recognize the crazy guy as "Ken Malansky" (William R. Moses) from a whole slew of "Perry Mason" TV-movies that aired back in the 80s and 90s. Here, he plays Kyle, an obsessive-possessive husband who discovers that his wife is the "Christine" who's been calling Dr. Liz regularly and telling her what a creepy, overbearing control freak her husband is. Kyle morphs into Mr. Hyde and throws a fit, so "Christine" flees from the house and gets run over by Father Drake from Melantha Blackthorne's SINNERS AND SAINTS (Jason Cavalier), although here he is billed as "Motorist." His wife's death drives Kyle the rest of the way over the edge, and he vows to get revenge--a lover's revenge, that is--on the person he blames for it. And that person, of course, is Dr. Liz.

What follows is pretty entertaining. Kyle bugs her house and gets all sorts of juicy stuff to use against her, including a phone conversation that just might mean a whole heap o' legal trouble for Dr. Liz, especially if it falls into the hands of a sleazy tabloid journalist, which it does. And it turns out that he hired Ashley to seduce Rob, so the marriage woes Dr. Liz has been suffering are his doing as well. He even keys her car.

But even this isn't enough to satisfy his lust for revenge--a lover's revenge--and his plans soon take a deadly turn that leads to murder. I won't tell you who gets murdered, because you aren't supposed to know that yet. But the murders make a fairly interesting story even more interesting, especially when Dr. Liz herself becomes a prime suspect. And to make things worse, she soon realizes that her own life is in grave danger.

I enjoyed watching A LOVER'S REVENGE because the script by Christine Conradt (GHETTO DAWG 2, A KILLER UPSTAIRS) and Nelson Williams keeps all of these elements humming along rather nicely toward a suspenseful conclusion. Prolific Canadian producers Pierre David (SCANNERS, A KILLER UPSTAIRS) and Tom Berry have turned out a lot of films like this, and here they've come up with an above-average thriller that sustains interest all the way through.

The cast is capable as well, especially William R. Moses as the creepy Kyle and Gary Hudson, whom I've always liked as Steve, the guy Patrick Swayze tells to stay on his break in ROADHOUSE. Alexandra Paul looks swell here--hard to believe it was decades ago when I first saw her as an aspiring female bodybuilder in the TV-movie GETTING PHYSICAL--and she makes a good Dr. Liz. "Beverly Hills, 90210" alumnus Gabrielle Carteris is also good as Detective Sparks, the cop who eventually sorts everything out.

So, if you're looking for a fun movie to watch while enjoying a delicious cup of International Coffee and trying to remember what that waiter's name was, you could do a lot worse than A LOVER'S REVENGE.

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SLINGSHOT -- movie review by porfle

2012-01-06T21:42:00.000-08:00

SLINGSHOT (2005) begins with a flash forward to the climactic scene, with Taylor (Balthazar Getty) begging Ash (David Arquette) to "put down the gun, man!" as they stand on a dark, deserted city street with cop cars bearing down on them. But Ash doesn't put down the gun, man. Something's bugging him big-time, and when the police screech to a stop, he points the gun and BANG!

Here's the bad news: in order to find out what just happened, or rather, what is going to happen at the end of the movie, you have to watch SLINGSHOT. Or maybe you could just find someone who has seen it and ask them what happens so you don't have to watch it. Just look for someone who is wandering around aimlessly in a state of extreme boredom and/or disbelief. Chances are, they've just watched SLINGSHOT.

Now we flash back, way back, to when Taylor and Ash were little kids, and they promise each other that they'll always be friends. Ash beans a girl with his slingshot, indicating that he's a problem child. Then the little Taylor and Ash walk along kicking a rock together, and suddenly we flash forward and they're the grown-up Taylor and Ash, kicking what may very well be the same rock as they hitchhike cross-country looking for cars to steal and people to rob.

One of their favorite scams is to pick up well-to-do hockey moms who aren't getting enough of the old bone-a-roo from their husbands and go home with them for some illicit s-e-x, which allows them to case the joint from the inside and make off with stuff they can fence to a beautiful Russian club owner named Fast Bobby (Svetlana Metkina). Of course, they expect Fast Bobby to be a guy upon meeting her, which is a comic idea that I first encountered during an episode of "Petticoat Junction" when I was about nine.

Already I was beginning to form an intense dislike for these characters which would only grow stronger as the movie lurched forward. While hanging around a Little League hockey rink, Ash gives an insecure kid named Tracey the benefit of his valuable life experience while sharing a joint with him. Later on, we find that Tracey's brief, magical encounter with Ash has actually had a positive, life-changing effect on him, which is meant to be heartwarming. Ohh-kay.

Meanwhile, Taylor is turning on the charm for a lovely hockey MILF named Karen (Julianna Margulies, who looks way better without that Brillo-head hairstyle she sported on "E.R.") and is invited back to her pad for some--heh, heh--"sex." This proves to be such a pleasant experience for Taylor that he's in no hurry to ransack the place and blow town, which makes the already unstable Ash very antsy, irritable, and, yes, jealous. Taylor's his buddy, see--the only person in the world who will have anything to do with him--and he doesn't like it when anyone else besides him gets to spend quality Taylor-time.

Long story short, Karen turns out to have a cute 19-year-old daughter named April (Thora Birch), and when Taylor meets her, he falls head-over-heels in love faster than Benjamin Braddock fell in love with Mrs. Robinson's daughter Elaine in THE GRADUATE. And in a development that strains viewer credulity to the point of whiplash, April falls right back in love with Taylor even after he tells her what he's been up to with her mother. Because April is one of those people that exists only in the movies--a beautiful, hot young babe who is incredibly lonely.

We know she's lonely because there's a montage of her driving around town looking from side to side (for love) and sitting by herself in a cafe', barely able to sip her Frappucino, all to the tune of a really sad song. So, naturally, a no-account scam artist like Taylor is just the thing to make her young heart go all a-flutter. And in less time than it takes for her and Taylor to engage in a string of endlessly dull scenes with some of the dumbest and most pointless dialogue ever written, they plan to run off to Brooklyn together. Yes, Brooklyn.

But now, with his significant bro-ther going all sappy for someone else, Ash finally begins to go over the edge. He gets a gun, starts burning cigarette holes through the heads in his Taylor 'n' Ash snapshots, and makes a series of wacky David Arquette expressions of emotional turmoil. He makes off with April on the pretense of going to meet Taylor, and starts waving his gun around as he berates her for stealing his only friend away from him. She reacts to this by acting as though something's vaguely amiss. Taylor races to the rescue, leading to the aforementioned scene that was flash-forwarded to at the start of the movie. "Put down the gun, man!" BANG!

To say that SLINGSHOT is disjointed and unevenly directed is like saying Charles Manson is a little coo-coo. Many of the scenes look and sound like a series of slapdash screen tests that have been strung together, with shaky camerawork that goes in and out of focus as it tries to be "artsy" but only succeeds in being "fartsy." The part where Taylor solemnly tells April about the time a young Ash was traumatized when his old man served him a steaming bowl of doggy-beef stew after cooking the family dog is a particularly rich slice of unintentionally-funny bathos. To make things worse, the dialogue often sounds as though the actors were paid a bonus every time they managed to squeeze the "F" bomb into every sentence multiple times, which really gets old after awhile.

Julianna Margulies and Joely Fisher as her gal-pal Emma do what they can with a couple of dopey roles. Balthazar Getty, unfortunately, kept reminding me of Charlie Sheen in HOT SHOTS the whole time, while David Arquette just seems better suited to comedy and should avoid trying to convey dead-serious intensity in the future. And Thora Birch's terminally-detached "April" barely seems to exist in the same dimension as the rest of the characters.

If you want to see a movie about a couple of drifters who dream of a better life--one level-headed and relatively intelligent, the other unpredictable, unstable, and dependant on his smarter buddy to get him through life--you might give OF MICE AND MEN a try. SLINGSHOT, somewhat similar in regard to the Taylor and Ash characters and their eventual fate, is a bit like something John Steinbeck might have written--right after someone whacked him in the head with a shovel five or six times.

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"THE TERROR EXPERIMENT" from Anchor Bay Entertainment -- coming April 12th to Blu-ray and DVD

2012-01-05T23:03:00.000-08:00

They caused it. Now they must kill it...

ANCHOR BAY ENTERTAINMENT CONDUCTS "THE TERROR EXPERIMENT"

There Is No Control

April 12th on Blu-ray™ and DVD

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – Reaching into the heavens, the Federal Building is the ultimate symbol of government authority, power and security. But for some, it’s the perfect target to expose our nation’s vulnerability to attack – as well as expose potentially deadly secrets kept from its citizens. It’s only a matter of time...

Anchor Bay Entertainment begins The Terror Experiment April 12th on Blu-ray™ and DVD. Featuring an all-star cast including Jason London (Out Cold, Dazed and Confused), C. Thomas Howell (E.T. The Extraterrestrial, The Hitcher, The Outsiders, Camel Spiders), Alicia Leigh Willis (“7th Heaven”, “The L Word”, “General Hospital”), Lochlyn Munro (Freddy Vs. Jason, White Chicks, Scary Movie), Alexander Mendeluk (Twilight and Twilight: New Moon), with Robert Carradine (“Lizzie McGuire,” Revenge of the Nerds franchise), and Judd Nelson (The Breakfast Club, St. Elmo’s Fire, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back), The Terror Experiment will take viewers on a pulse-pounding journey through a towering hell above Earth and into an inferno of unstoppable thrills! SRP is $19.98 for the DVD and $24.99 for the Blu-ray™. Pre-book is March 14th.

A terrorist sets off an explosion that rocks the Federal Building and unleashes a toxic gas throughout the ventilation system. His purpose: to expose the Government's secret biological warfare weapon, a deadly virus that instantly attacks a person's adrenal system, causing them to become inhumanly aggressive, with an uncontrollable urge to kill each other.

About Anchor Bay Entertainment
Anchor Bay Entertainment is the home entertainment division of Starz Media, LLC. It includes the Anchor Bay Films and Manga Entertainment brands. It distributes feature films, children’s entertainment, fitness, TV series, documentaries, anime and other filmed entertainment on DVD and Blu-ray™ formats. Headquartered in Beverly Hills, CA, Anchor Bay Entertainment has offices in Troy, MI, as well as Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia. Starz Media (www.starzmedia.com) is an operating unit of Starz, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation (NASDAQ: LMCA).

THE TERROR EXPERIMENT Blu-ray™
Street Date:                 February 14, 2012
Pre-book:                     March 14, 2012
Cat. #:                         BD23683
UPC:                           0 1313 23683-9 9
Run Time:                   82 minutes
Rating:                        Not Rated
SRP:                            $24.99
Format:                        Anamorphic Widescreen (1.78:1)
Audio:                         Dolby TrueHD 5.1
Subtitles:                     English SDH, Spanish
Bonus Features:          Filmmakers’ audio commentary

THE TERROR EXPERIMENT DVD
Street Date:                 April 12, 2012
Pre-book:                     March 14, 2012
Cat. #:                         DV23679
UPC:                           0 1313 23464-9 6
Run Time:                   82 minutes
Rating:                        Not Rated
SRP:                            $19.98
Format:                        Anamorphic Widescreen (1.78:1)
Audio:                         Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles:                     English SDH, Spanish
Bonus Features:          Filmmakers’ audio commentary

DIRTY GIRL -- DVD review by porfle

2012-01-04T23:17:00.000-08:00

Partway into DIRTY GIRL (2010), the movie suddenly turns from what appears to be a teen sex comedy into a weird mishmash of campy cutesiness and mawkish melodrama. Writer-director Abe Sylvia calls this a "bait-and-switch", but why would he want to bait the wrong audience into watching the movie while the right audience avoids it?

Anyway, it's smalltown Oklahoma in 1987, and behavioral problems get school slut Danielle (Juno Temple) stuck into the "slow" class where she's partnered with overweight gay outcast Clarke (Jeremy Dozier, who resembles a pudgy young James Hampton) in a parenting exercise that requires them to treat a sack of flour as their baby. Since they're both outsiders with unhappy home lives, we know they'll bond sooner or later, although just how sappily they do so comes as a bit of a surprise.

Mary Steenburgen and Dwight Yoakam play Clarke's parents, and since all three actors are from the South we at least get some regional authenticity. Dwight gets to be Doyle Hargraves from SLING BLADE again only this time with an official family, whom he intimidates with the standard macho bluster while Mom cowers and secretly supports her 65% gay son (in one of the film's funnier lines, Clarke tells Danielle: "My therapist showed me this chart that says I'm 35 percent hetero. And if I can get that up to 60 percent, my parents won't send me to military school.") We know Clarke's mom sympathizes with him because she bobs her head when he plays "I Want Candy" in his bedroom.

Meanwhile, Danielle's struggling single mom Sue-Ann (Milla Jovovitch), whom we know is a faded rose because "Delta Dawn" pops onto the film's jukebox when she's first shown, has hooked up with widower Ray (the great William H. Macy). The prospect of a blended family with this straitlaced Mormon and his two creepy kids horrifies Danielle to the point of fleeing her home in search of her real father who disappeared before she was born. Since the now openly-gay Clarke is avoiding his increasingly hostile dad, the two of them set off in Dwight's prized car for California, suddenly turning DIRTY GIRL into a road-trip movie.

So far, the movie has abandoned its teen sex comedy premise (the closest we get to seeing Danielle being an actual "dirty girl" is when her car shakes in the parking lot and then she emerges post-coital from it, immaculate and sassy) along with any comedic developments we might've looked forward to regarding Danielle and Clarke's school situation and Danielle's prickly relationship with Macy and his family (Macy, in fact, disappears from the film at this point). What we get is that coming-of-age bonding between the two runaways and their flour-sack baby, Joan, who ups the film's cuteness factor by acquiring the ability to change her drawn-on expressions in reaction to the moods of her adoptive "parents."

We're also treated to an increasing number of by-the-numbers emotional moments that are inserted here and there with the appropriate soundtrack songs sparing the script the effort of letting us know how we're supposed to feel. In fact, all of the film's emotional cues are delivered with songs, to the point where it seems there's a DJ somewhere spinning a different platter for each scene for our emotions to dance to. Naturally, this includes the obligatory scenes of Danielle and Clarke bopping to uptempo tunes as they cruise down the highway, or crying while Melissa Manchester's lyrics tell us what they're feeling.

Drive-by romance enters the picture in the form of a handsome hitchhiker named Joel (Nicholas D'Agosto) who sets Clarke's heart aflutter, while the comedy takes a creepier turn when Clarke enters a striptease contest in a gay bar to earn some cash. By the time he and Danielle reach California, however, the film has gone full-out maudlin, with enough precious and totally unrealistic emotional moments (each fueled by that relentless succession of treacly songs) to make the whole thing feel like an R-rated Afterschool Special.

The DVD from Anchor Bay and the Weinsteins is in 2.40:1 anamorphic widescreen with Dolby 5.1 sound and subtitles in English and Spanish. Bonuses consist of a director's commentary and some deleted and extended scenes.

The final "Partridge Family" ending left me almost literally agog, amazed that director Sylvia actually intended for it to be taken seriously rather than as some kind of deadpan homage to John Waters. In a way, it's screamingly funny, or at least so cringeworthy that you can't help but laugh with discomfort. Maybe, because of this, DIRTY GIRL will eventually become some kind of perverse cult film, but taken at face value it's just a really odd sort of artifact.

Buy it at Amazon.com

FIRST SQUAD: THE MOMENT OF TRUTH -- DVD review by porfle

2012-01-03T21:52:00.000-08:00

A Russian-Japanese co-production, FIRST SQUAD: THE MOMENT OF TRUTH (2009) is a deliriously atmospheric WWII anime about how supernatural intervention threatens to turn the tide in a crucial battle between Soviet and German troops.

The year is 1942, seven centuries after the evil Baron von Wolff and his Teutonic Knights were defeated and sent to the bottom of an icy lake. Now, with the help of a group of Nazi mystics known as the "Ahnenerbe", von Wolff and his minions will re-enter the world of the living at the titular "moment of truth" and cause a major Russian defeat on the Eastern front, while at the same time opening up a rift between the two worlds which may be catastrophic to every living being.

To prevent this, Division Six of the Soviet Military Intelligence has enlisted a group of young people with special abilities. During a bombing raid on their training camp, four members of the First Squad are killed, with only a young clairvoyant girl named Nadya surviving. Stricken with amnesia, the orphan girl is recovered by the Kremlin in time to send her back into action against the Teutonic Knights, with the help of her dead comrades whose spirits gain entrance into our world through Nadya's subconscious.

A mix of traditional animation and CGI, FIRST SQUAD: THE MOMENT OF TRUTH is brimming with exquisite artwork that can be savored as one would the pages of a meticulously drawn graphic novel. With colors that are rich yet muted, much of it has an aged effect that contributes to the sumptuous period atmosphere.

Digital enhancements augment the somewhat limited animation with varying degrees of subtlety and help to breathe life into the drawings. Desolate Russian landscapes alternate with scenes that radiate nostalgic warmth, as in Nadya's flashbacks to her earlier life in the circus with her deceased parents.

There's a satisfying retro look to everything from the settings and costumes to some of the gadgets used, such as an "astro-radar" for pinpointing supernatural activity and the "Sputnik 01" machine (like a 40s version of the "Rekall" device from TOTAL RECALL) which transports Nadya into the netherworld. While in the Gloomy Valley, she witnesses the spirits of dead soldiers still fighting their various wars and first encounters von Wolff as he readies his men for battle in the real world before being reunited with the rest of the First Squad.

We don't get to know Leo, Monk, Valya, and Zena very well this time around--the story, which concentrates solely on Nadya, is left partially open-ended and plays like the first installment of a larger saga. Not light entertainment by any means (although there are the occasional fanciful elements), it's a sober tale with several haunting passages, as when Nadya performs her clairvoyant act for Russian soldiers and suddenly visualizes most of them in the death state they'll assume during an imminent air attack.

Hovering between life and death after a bomb blast, Nadya relives events from her past by viewing them on a screen in an empty movie theater, while later the spirits of the First Squad will return to the world of the living by passing through a carnival spookhouse ride filled with surreal images from Nadya's subconscious mind. Action and suspense are further provided by a pair of murderous blonde Nazi babes who pursue Nadya at various points in the story.

The final battle takes place as supernatural opponents First Squad and the Teutonic Knights clash amidst the Russian and German troops who stand frozen in the instant of their "moment of truth." Punctuated by machine guns, flamethrowers, and swordplay, it's an exciting sequence that's imaginatively directed and, like the rest of the movie, is augmented by a dynamic and suitably baroque musical score by DJ Krush.

The DVD on Anchor Bay's "Manga" label is in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen with Dolby 5.1 and 2.0 soundtracks in English, Russian, and Japanese. Subtitles are in English. No extras besides trailers for BATTLE ROYALE and REDLINE. The original longer version of the film (approx. 75 minutes) contains live-action interview footage with WWII veterans and historians intercut throughout, which is missing from this shorter (approx. 60 minutes) version. Judging from some of the fan reactions I've read online, the film would seem to be better off without this added material, but I'd have to see both versions to make a fair judgement.

Definitely one of the more unusual films of its kind that I've seen in quite a while, FIRST SQUAD: THE MOMENT OF TRUTH is an impressive achievement that should provide solid entertainment for animation fans.

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DVD
Blu-Ray

A GUIDE TO RECOGNIZING YOUR SAINTS -- movie review by porfle

2012-01-02T20:13:00.000-08:00

Writer/director Dito Montiel (THE SON OF NO ONE) based his film A GUIDE TO RECOGNIZING YOUR SAINTS (2006) on his autobiography of the same name, though he says the movie is a fictionalized version that alters and combines characters and events. What he mainly wanted to convey was what it was like growing up in Astoria, Queens in the mid-80s, when racial tensions, violence, and an overall air of hostility and hopelessness seemed to be part of the fabric of everyday life.

The adult Dito (played by Robert Downey, Jr.) has long since escaped the clutches of his old neighborhood and found success in California. But when his mother Flori (Dianne Wiest) calls one day and implores him to come home--his father, Monty (Chazz Palminteri), has grown ill and she can't get him to go to the hospital--Dito must return to the place and the people he left behind. In doing so, he realizes how much they mean to him, how their influence helped shape the person he would become, and what a void was left in his life when he turned his back on his roots and cut off all contact with his past.

As he makes the trip back home, he relives old memories. We see the young Dito (Shia LaBeouf) aimlessly roaming the streets with his pals Antonio, Nerf, and Guiseppe. Antonio (Channing Tatum), Dito's best friend, is an unstable, hotheaded tough guy who is beaten regularly at home and takes out his aggression by punching his way through life as though they were opponents in the ring. But he's a loyal friend, and anyone who messes with Dito has to answer to him. Even when a shocking personal tragedy turns Antonio against Dito temporarily, all it takes is for Dito to be threatened by a mutual enemy for Antonio to come racing to his defense once again.

Antonio hangs out at Dito's house a lot because Monty and Flori Montiel are the parents he wishes he could have had. Monty, especially, is a pal to all of Dito's friends, holding court and basking in their company. They, in turn, hold him and Flori in very high regard--more so than Dito, in fact, whose burning desire to break away from home and escape to a new and better life often puts him at odds with Monty, who fears losing not only a son but a best friend. Dito's final break from his father, after life in the neighborhood has become intolerable for him, is ugly and bitter. It's a wound that has never healed, and the adult Dito dreads seeing Monty and dredging it all up again.

Dito's everyday world is vividly evoked by gritty, authentic locations--I would hate to live in this sweltering mass of conflicting humanity--and a uniformly excellent cast. Chazz Palminteri has never been better, and it's great seeing him play this lovable, gregarious "my old man"-type instead of the usual gangster role that even he seems tired of. Dianne Wiest, always a skilled actress, is quietly effective in her own subtle way. The younger cast members really get into their roles, especially Channing Tatum, whom some critics have compared to a young Brando, as Antonio.

They bring their characters to life so well that it's sometimes jarring when Robert Downey, Jr. and Rosario Dawson (as Laurie, the girl Dito left behind) take over as the adult versions. Anthony DeSando is particularly good as the flamboyantly-gay Frank, who employs Dito and his Scottish friend Mike O'Shea (Martin Compston) in his dog-walking service. Frank is wonderfully talkative, animated, and full of life until his spirit finally succumbs to the harshness of his surroundings. Another casualty is Antonio's mentally-unbalanced brother, Guiseppe, played brilliantly by Adam Scarimbolo.

First-time director Dito Montiel does a great job bringing his own story to life, and he's good at telling it in visual terms that are often very compelling. Sometimes his characters speak directly to us ("My name's Dito...I'm gonna leave everybody in this film" we're told at the beginning, while Antonio, who's had his self-respect beaten out of him on a daily basis, later sums himself up by informing us: "I'm a f**king piece of shit. And that's who I am.")

An important subplot concerns their increasingly vitriolic conflict with a Puerto Rican graffiti artist who calls himself The Reaper, who finally attacks Dito one night with a baseball bat. This is too much for Antonio to bear and he loses it, giving full rein to his violent tendencies. What happens then is not only startling, but also leads to one of the most unexpected musical segues ever to the lush strains of Gerry Rafferty's "Baker Street."

The older Dito eventually reconnects with the survivors of his past life, including Laurie, Monty, and finally, Antonio--all the people he left, but who never left him--and a painful succession of suppressed feelings and emotions are brought to the fore once again. Some of them are left unresolved, at least for the time being. But when he sees Antonio, the luckless friend whose neverending bout with life has left him on the ropes, it's cathartic. (I won't tell you who plays the older Antonio, in case it comes as a pleasant surprise to you as it did me.)

If you wait through the closing credit crawl of A GUIDE TO RECOGNIZING YOUR SAINTS you'll hear the real Dito and Antonio in a phone conversation. And at the very end, there's about twenty seconds of video footage featuring the real-life Monty Montiel, talking about Antonio. "He's a good guy, though," says an off-camera Dito. "Oh, yeah, I like 'im," the frail Monty affirms. "But, good guys don't get out of here."

Buy it at Amazon.com

"Martha Marcy May Marlene" on Blu-ray and DVD February 21

2011-12-31T21:42:00.000-08:00

GET CAPTIVATED BY ELIZABETH OLSEN IN THE GRIPPING PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER

Featuring the Award Winning Short Film “Mary Last Seen”
Only On Blu-ray and DVD February 21

Los Angeles, CA (December 20, 2011) – From 2011 Sundance Film Festival “Best Director” winner Sean Durkin, in his feature film debut, and featuring breakout star Elizabeth Olsen in her “Best Female Lead” Film Independent Spirit Award nominated role, MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE arrives on Blu-ray and DVD February 21 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.

After escaping from a dangerous cult and the watchful eye of its charismatic leader, a young woman named Martha (Olsen) tries to reclaim a normal life with her family. But the haunting memories from Martha’s past trigger a chilling paranoia — and nowhere seems safe as the fragile line between her reality and delusions begin to blur.

Supported by unforgettable powerhouse performances from Academy Award® nominee John Hawkes (Winter’s Bone, American Gangster) and Sarah Paulson (Down With Love, What Women Want), the MARTHA MARCY MARY MARLENE Blu-ray and DVD is rich with feature special features, including “Mary Last Seen,” the chilling short film by writer/director Durkin that started it all.

Pre-book date is January 25.

MARTHA MARCY MARY MARLENE Blu-ray Features:
--Mary Last Seen
--Spotlight on Elizabeth Olsen
--The Story
--The Making of Martha Marcy May Marlene
--A Conversation with Filmmakers
--The Psyche of a Cult
--"Marcy's Song" Music Video by John Hawkes
--Theatrical Trailer

MARTHA MARCY MARY MARLENE DVD Features:
--Mary Last Seen

MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE BLU-RAY: (Catalog # 2277170)
Street Date: February 21, 2012
Pre-book Date: January 25, 2012
Screen Format: 16:9 (2.40:1)
Audio: 5.1 DTS-HD-MA
Subtitles: English / Spanish
U.S. Rating: R
Total Run Time: 02:36:27
Closed Captioned: Yes

MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE DVD: (Catalog # 2277163)
Street Date: February 21, 2012
Pre-book Date: January 25, 2012
Screen Format: 16:9 (2.40:1)
Audio: 5.1 DD
Subtitles: English / Spanish
U.S. Rating: R
Total Run Time: 2:02:03
Closed Captioned: Yes

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On DVD Jan. 3rd from Acorn - U.S. Debut of "Windsors" Doc, Joanna Lumley Soap Series, and Conclusion to "Man in a Suitcase"

2011-12-30T23:49:00.000-08:00

Absorbing 2011 documentary traces the recent history of the British monarchy; From the real King George VI (Portrayed in The King’s Speech) Through Prince William’s recent wedding

THE WINDSORS: FROM GEORGE TO KATE

U.S. Debut on DVD from Athena January 3, 2012

Silver Spring, MD —Providing a window into the captivating lives of the British Royal Family, The Windsors: From George to Kate, makes its U.S. debut with the DVD release from Athena on January 3, 2012. The intriguing 2011 documentary gathers archival film footage and photographs from nearly a century of the House of Windsor’s history. Narrated by actor Brian Blessed (I, Claudius), The Windsors presents a unique look at the pomp and pageantry that surround these fascinating figures. The DVD comes with a wealth of bonus materials, including a 16-page viewer’s guide, clips from the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, archival footage about King George VI, the subject of the 2011 Oscar® winner The King’s Speech; biographies, and more ($29.99, www.AcornOnline.com).

While most monarchies have crumbled, the British royal family remains essential to the nation’s identity. Today, the House of Windsor continues to capture the world’s imagination, most recently for the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, watched by a global audience of millions.

This documentary gathers archival film footage and stills from nearly a century of official events. Highlights include the Silver Jubilee of King George V (1935); the coronation of George VI and Queen Elizabeth, formerly Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (1937); the wedding of Princess Elizabeth to Prince Philip (1947); the coronation of Elizabeth II (1953); the wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales, and Lady Diana Spencer (1981); Diana’s funeral (1997); and the announcement of Prince William’s engagement to Catherine Middleton (2010). Full of pomp, pageantry, ritual, tradition, and sheer splendor, these historic films portray the Windsors at their most noble.

BONUS FEATURES: Clips from the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton (8 min.); archival footage about King George VI; the subject of the 2011 Oscar® winner The King’s Speech (17 min.); biographies of select Windsors; and a 16-page viewer’s guide with a Windsor family tree; articles about royal titles and last names, coronation regalia, and protocol; and fascinating facts about the Windsors. Additional timeline and royal fun facts at AthenaLearning.com

Street Date: Jan. 3, 2012                              SRP: $29.99
DVD Single - Approx. 106 minutes, plus bonus – Documentary - SDH subtitles

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Conclusion to the thrilling 1960s spy series; Features candid and unfiltered, 69-minute interview with star Richard Bradford

MAN IN A SUITCASE, SET 2

Debuts on DVD January 3, 2012

A Rogue Agent for Hire in 1960s Europe

“Stylish action-adventure series” —The Independent
“Intrigue and suspense…not to be missed” —Library Bookwatch

Silver Spring, MD — Brimming with mystery and suspense, the conclusion to the atmospheric Cold War-era spy series, Man in a Suitcase, Set 2, debuts on DVD from Acorn Media on January 3, 2012. Richard Bradford (The Untouchables, Cagney & Lacey) stars as the savvy and adventurous “Mac” McGill, a cynical yet honest spy who has been disavowed by his American bosses and is on the run from a host of international enemies. Sharply written and featuring a host of superb guest stars, the intriguing drama had national broadcast exposure on ABC in 1968. Set 2 includes the last 15 episodes of this stylish series, plus a bonus 69 min. interview with star Richard Bradford offering a frank and unfiltered look at the series and his career (DVD 4-Disc, www.AcornOnline.com, $59.99).

After 10 years working for U.S. intelligence, “Mac” McGill knows a thing or two about living by his wits and getting the job done. But after his employment is terminated under mysterious circumstances, he has to look for work among those prepared to pay for his services. From his base in London, McGill travels all over Europe and beyond, taking on the jobs no one else can handle, tracking down the people no one else can find.

This action-packed drama features a host of superb guest stars, including Donald Sutherland (Pride & Prejudice), Felicity Kendal (Rosemary & Thyme), Peter Arne (The Return of the Pink Panther), Ray McAnally (My Left Foot), Colin Blakely (The Beiderbecke Affair), Philip Madoc (A Mind to Kill), and Edward Fox (Gandhi).

Bonus Features: Photo gallery and interview with Richard Bradford (69 min.; 2005)

Street: January 3, 2012                                SRP: $59.99
DVD 4-Disc Set: 15 episodes - Approx. 780 min., plus bonus – British drama – SDH subtitles

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Joanna Lumley (Absolutely Fabulous) stars in the hilarious soap send-up

DR. WILLOUGHBY

Debuts on DVD January 3, 2012

“Wonderfully witty” —Manchester Evening News
“Sharp, literate…a memorable British sitcom” —Sunday Herald

Silver Spring, MD — A hilarious behind-the-scenes television satire in the vein of The Larry Sanders Show and Soap, Dr. Willoughby, starring fan favorite Joanna Lumley (Absolutely Fabulous), debuts on DVD from Acorn Media on January 3, 2012. Lumley stars as Donna Sinclair, an actress desperately clinging to her fading career. On the sleazy daytime soap in which she stars, Sinclair plays the competent and compassionate Dr. Willoughby. Off-screen, Sinclair is a holy terror—conniving, vain, and utterly insincere. The series is from the production team behind the long-running hit Brit-com Birds of a Feather, and it broadcast in 1999 on ITV and was syndicated on public television. The DVD Single includes all six episodes of this sharply written comedy ($29.99, www.AcornOnline.com).

On-screen, she’s Dr. Willoughby, a compassionate surgeon who saves lives with skill and a scalpel. Offscreen, she’s Donna Sinclair, a ruthless actress fighting to control her fading career and the sleazy daytime hospital soap in which she stars.

Joanna Lumley is deliciously bitchy as the aging, vain Sinclair in this hilarious send-up of British television. She’ll stop at nothing to keep her place in the spotlight, from betraying her fellow actors to terrorizing her producer, pilfering toilet paper from the supplies closet, and lying her way out of a charity gig. Dr. Willoughby also stars Brian Protheroe (Holby City, North & South), Isobel Middleton (Cracker), and Paula Bacon (Bad Girls).

Street Date: Jan. 3, 2012
SRP: $29.99
DVD Single - Approx. 144 min. – 6 episodes - British comedy - SDH subtitles
Contains coarse language

About Acorn Media
Headquartered in suburban Washington, D.C., Acorn Media U.S. distributes distinctive home video releases to North America with a special focus on the best of British television. 2011 releases include Upstairs, Downstairs: 40th Anniversary Edition and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy; U.S. debuts of new series Garrow’s Law, Vera, and Single-Handed; more episodes from New Tricks, Doc Martin, Agatha Christie’s Poirot and Marple, George Gently, Murdoch Mysteries; and the Blu-ray debut of Brideshead Revisited. Athena releases provide an authoritative and entertaining learning experience through high quality, informative, documentary programming. Athena’s 2011 releases include The Making of the President: The 1960s, HBO’s The Battle for Marjah, Art of the Western World, The Genius of Design, Discovering Hamlet, Genius of Britain, Weapons Races, Joseph Campbell: Mythos III, and several acclaimed programs from Bill Moyers and Mike Wallace. Clips are available at www.athenalearning.com.

Acorn’s and Athena’s DVD sets are available from select retailers, catalog companies, and direct from Acorn Media at (888) 870-8047 or www.acornonline.com and www.athenalearning.com. For the complete press releases, please visit: www.acornmedia.com

"KILL LIST" Opens February 3, 2012 at IFC Center In NYC -- Available Jan. 4th on VOD

2011-12-29T14:01:00.000-08:00

IFC MIDNIGHT PRESENTS "KILL LIST"

WINNER -- 4 AWARDS AT FILM4 FRIGHTFEST
(Best Film / Best Screenplay / Best Kill / Best Actor)

WINNER -- SITGES INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Melies d’Argent for Best European Film

NOMINATED -- 6 BRITISH INDEPENDENT FILM AWARDS
(Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor,
Best Screenplay, Best Achievement in Production)

WINNER -- BRITISH INDEPENDENT FILM AWARDS
(Best Supporting Actor – Michael Smiley)

Official Selection -- SXSW Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, and AFIFest

Eight months after a botched job in Kiev, Jay (Neil Maskell) is an out-of-work hitman with no job, money, health insurance and a wife constantly on his case. But when his business partner Gal (Michael Smiley) comes over for dinner and pressures Jay into taking a new assignment, Jay quickly finds himself back in the game with the promise of a big payoff after three assassinations. Although the hits start off without incident, soon things begin to unravel and Jay's paranoia reveals itself as he is plunged into the heart of darkness.

The second feature from British director Ben Wheatley (DOWN TERRACE) KILL LIST (which premiere at the 2011 SXSW Film Festival) features incredibly natural rich performances, jet black humor and nail-biting suspense that work to keep the audience always off-guard. Moving from kitchen-sink drama to character study to crime thriller, KILL LIST ends up at something more fundamentally profound and wonderfully disturbing.

"THE SON OF NO ONE" with Channing Tatum, Katie Holmes and Al Pacino -- coming to Blu-ray and DVD February 21st from Anchor Bay Films

2011-12-29T13:32:00.000-08:00

ANCHOR BAY FILMS AND MILLENNIUM FILMS PROUDLY PRESENTS A NU IMAGE PRODUCTION "THE SON OF NO ONE"

Written and Directed by Dito Montiel

STARRING CHANNING TATUM, TRACEY MORGAN, KATIE HOLMES, RAY LIOTTA, JULIETTE BINOCHE, AL PACINO and JAKE CHERRY

“Exhilarating and Powerful” -–Avi Offer, NYCMovie Guru

Available on Blu-ray™ and DVD February 21, 2012

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – Anchor Bay Films is proud to announce the release of The Son of No One on Blu-ray™ and DVD, February 21, 2012. A 2-disc Blu-ray™+DVD combo pack will also be available. Hailed as “A riveting piece of filmmaking [featuring] one of the best casts of the year” by Joel Amos, MovieFanatic.com, The Son of No One is a gripping thriller about how far one police officer will go to keep his dark past hidden and protect his family. The release also contains deleted scenes and audio commentary with Writer/Producer/Director Dito Montiel and Editor/Executive Producer Jake Pushinsky.

Jonathan (Channing Tatum 21 Jump Street, The Vow) is a second-generation cop who gets in over his head when he’s assigned to re-open a double homicide cold case in his Queens neighborhood. An anonymous source feeding new information on the long-unsolved murders to a local reporter (Juliette Binoche Cosmopolis, Dan In Real Life, ) leads to evidence suggesting a possible cover-up by the former lead detective (Al Pacino The Godfather, Scarface) who was on the investigation. As Jonathan digs deeper into the assignment, a dark secret about the case emerges, which threatens to destroy his life and his family.

Channing Tatum delivers a gritty and memorable performance, while New York mainstay writer and director Dito Montiel (Guide to Recognizing Your Saints) is at the top of his game. Also starring Tracy Morgan (NBC’s “30 Rock”), Katie Holmes (Batman Begins), Ray Liotta (Goodfellas) and Jake Cherry (Night at the Museum), The Son of No One is a tense and powerful thriller filled with suspense, secrets and lies.

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REDLINE -- DVD review by porfle

2011-12-27T21:59:00.000-08:00

Sizzling with supercharged action, the simple plot of director Takeshi Koike's sci-fi anime REDLINE (2009) serves as a backdrop for some of the most mindblowing, audacious cartoon animation to ever blaze its way across the screen.

The pre-titles sequence features a qualifying "Yellowline" race in the desert that already makes the podrace from THE PHANTOM MENACE look like a frog-jumping competition. We meet J.P., who resembles a brawny Ricky Nelson with a skyscraper pompadour and, thanks to his crooked partner Frisbee, has a reputation for fixing races. Sure enough, Frisbee's in deep with the mob on this one and sabotages J.P.'s car near the finish line, landing him in the hospital.

When some of the qualifiers for the Redline drop out, J.P.'s back in the game along with his heartthrob Sonoshee, a lovely lass with more interest in machines than men. But the location for the race turns out to be Roboworld, a militaristic society whose leaders are so opposed to the competition taking place on their world (and possibly having some of their military secrets broadcast galaxy-wide) that they declare all-out war against the racers. In order to win this one, J.P. will have to battle it out against ruthless drivers (including Sonoshee), the entire military force of Roboworld, and perhaps even his own sidekick Frisbee.

Fans of non-CGI animation should have a ball reveling in this 100% hand-drawn visual feast, whose creators invested seven years and 100,000 drawings in its making. Each frame of this dazzling tribute to old-school cartoon wizardry is as insanely detailed as panels from the more extravagant underground comix of the 60s and 70s, and unlike digital cartoons you can see the artists' and animators' hands in every painstaking detail.

The dynamic, hard-edged drawing style, a eye-pleasing mix of both the futuristic and retro, yields a wealth of beautifully-rendered character designs and backgrounds that are then brought to vivid life. Surreal touches, such as J.P.'s gravity-defying hairdo and an endless parade of grotesque aliens, rub shoulders with the hard-edged yet wildly-imaginative hardware of cars, spaceships, and other machinery.

The over-the-top character design (by co-writer Katsuhito Ishii, who also worked on the anime sequence from KILL BILL, VOL. 1 and helped create REDLINE's outstanding soundtrack) goes well with the film's larger-than-life cast of oddballs. These include J.P.'s multi-armed canine mechanic Pops, the towering cyborg Machine Head, and the various other racers whose bizarre appearance and unique personalities keep things interesting. Even the crowd scenes are filled with a vast array of colorful "extras."

While the plot busies itself with various concerns such as J.P.'s wooing of the reluctant Sonoshee and Frisbee's conflict of loyalties between him and the mob, REDLINE roars to life during its many spectacular action sequences. The imposing Colonel Votron and his Roboworld army launch a full-scale attack on the racers that begins when they leave the mothership and attempt to land their shuttle vehicles on the planet. The race itself is a non-stop series of thrilling setpieces which lead to the activation of the Roboworld president's ace in the hole, an out-of-control behemoth known as "Funky Boy" who proceeds to destroy everything in sight.

The DVD from Anchor Bay's "Manga" label is in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen with Dolby 5.1 and 2.0 soundtracks in both Japanese and English, with English subtitles. Extras consist of a 24-minute making-of featurette and the film's trailer.

Thrilling, funny, and endlessly watchable, REDLINE is chock-full of some of the most visually-stunning racing action and futuristic warfare ever created for an animated film. Best of all, it's a return to the glory days of hand-drawn animation which, in the words of its creators, offers something new by doing things the old way again.

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"GHOST HUNTERS INTERNATIONAL SEASON 2 PART 1" on DVD March 13th from Image Entertainment

2011-12-26T22:14:00.000-08:00

COMING TO DVD FROM IMAGE ENTERTAINMENT: “GHOST HUNTERS INTERNATIONAL SEASON 2: PART 1”

Syfy hit series is back for its second season!

On March 13, Image Entertainment invites you on a second exploration of the series that debuted as the number one reality series telecast in Syfy channel history with “Ghost Hunters International Season 2: Part 1,” a collection of 13 episodes bringing the world’s most frightening supernatural locations to your home entertainment system. This three-disc DVD set will be available for an SRP of $24.98. Pre-book is February 14.

Fans can’t get enough of “Ghost Hunters” - celebrating eight seasons as the #1 paranormal franchise on cable television. In the second season of this hit spin-off of Syfy’s popular series, witness the fearless investigators exploring an ancient castle in Czech Republic, an 18th Century prison in Ireland, the Palazzo Ducale in Italy and even a castle said to be constructed over a portal to Hell. With these and many other unique locations, who knows the kinds of twisted discoveries awaiting these paranormal enthusiasts!

The bone-chilling investigations taken in “Ghost Hunters International Season 2: Part 1” will arouse curiosity in even the most skeptical of viewers:

Wicklow’s Gaol
Skeleton in the Closet
Gate to Hell
Witches Castle
Spirits of Italy
Holy Ghosts
Hitler’s Ghost
Silver Shadow
Quarantine Station
Port Arthur Penitentiary
Tasmania Death Sentence
San Lucas Prison
The Legend of Rose Hall

So prepare yourself for another round of supernatural experiences spanning the globe as “Ghost Hunters International Season 2: Part 1” reminds you the important details are found in what you can sense, not what you can see.

“Ghost Hunters International Season 2: Part 1”
Genre:              Mystery/Suspense, Special Interest, Television, Ghosts, Haunted Houses, Myths/Legends
Rating:              Not Rated
Languages:       English
Format:             1.78:1 (16x9 enhanced)
Audio:              Dolby Digital Stereo
Subtitles:          N/A
Year:                2011
SRP:                $24.98
Street Date:      March 13, 2012
Length:             572 minutes (approx.)
UPC:                014381793222
Cat#:                ID7932PGDVD

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I DON'T KNOW HOW SHE DOES IT -- DVD review by porfle

2011-12-25T22:08:00.000-08:00

In order for me to enjoy it to any degree, I DON'T KNOW HOW SHE DOES IT (2011) already had three major strikes against it. One, it's a chick flick. Two, it has Sarah Jessica Parker in it. And three, it's a chick flick with Sarah Jessica Parker in it. The fact that I didn't totally hate it, and even sorta liked most of it, means that it must be doing something right.

Of course, being about a harried working mom it has to portray harried working moms as the most harried and overworked people in the universe. Kate (played by you-know-who) has two kids and a between-jobs husband (Greg Kinnear as "Richard") who, naturally, has everything easier than she does. (Why, he doesn't even keep a mental "to-do" list!)

We first see her after a hard day's work, buying a pie for her daughter's kindergarten bake sale because the deli was out of baking supplies. "Out of baking supplies"? You get the feeling that Allison Pearson, who wrote the novel upon which this is based, hasn't done a whole lot of baking. And in the entire city of Boston, there isn't a single all-night WalMart?

Kate's housewife acquaintances, whom she refers to as "mini Martha Stewarts" and "The Momsters", are barely a step away from cows on the evolutionary scale, whiling away their time at the fitness spa with no burdens or responsibilities while Kate toils like a rower on a Roman galleon (albeit one with a 9-to-5 nanny). Needless to say, this paeon to working mothers is massively front-loaded in their favor.

Fortunately, Kate's best friend Allison (Christina Hendricks) is there to verbalize all of this stuff about how they have it tougher than the blatantly-caricatured Momsters (and, of course, men in general) so that certain viewers can nod and tsk-tsk "That is sooo true" while Kate herself doesn't come off as a whiny, self-pitying bore. Allison is beautiful, smart, funny, and sassily sarcastic, qualities that non-working moms apparently have liposuctioned out of them soon after high school.

Kate works at a "high-powered law firm" where she has to try twice as hard as her conniving rival, Bunce (Seth Meyers), because, you guessed it, he's a guy, and when she gets a shot at a big business deal involving a high-level executive named Jack Abelhammer (Pierce Brosnan) it causes her to miss out on even more family-type stuff. Her kids resent her for this and we keep expecting Richard to go totally guilt-trip on her, although to the film's credit this aspect of the story is handled rather well.

Sarah Jessica Parker deftly applies her acting and comedy skills to their best advantage to create a fairly likable and sympathetic character. Her scenes with the always impeccable Brosnan are done just right (even during the inevitable awkward proposition) and she and Kinnear, also a fine actor, make an appealing couple.

Kelsey Grammer and Jane Curtain come off nicely in smaller roles. Olivia Munn's subplot concerning Kate's overachieving coworker Momo is an interesting diversion which, surprisingly, fails to endorse abortion as the ideal answer to a working woman's unexpected pregnancy.

Director Douglas McGrath keeps the pace popping like microwave popcorn and the script is dotted with funny gags. (I like that this movie isn't afraid to have its heroine suddenly come down with a severe case of head lice.) I was also pleased that the dreaded infidelity plotline--indeed, any of the usual maudlin, tacked-on plot twists that often crop up in stories of this nature to laden them with added dramatic weight--failed to materialize even though all signs seemed to point in that direction.

Instead, we get a very nice scene in a bowling alley and some believable complications in Kate and Richard's relationship that aren't straight out of a bad drama class exercise. While the story's resolution isn't exactly straight out of reality, the whole thing's more of a fairytale than a docudrama anyway--it could almost be a vehicle for Hilary Duff.

The DVD from the Weinsteins and Anchor Bay is in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen with Dolby 5.1 sound. Subtitles are in English and Spanish. The sole extra is a brief conversation with author Allison Pearson.

While going a bit overboard in elevating the working mom above all the other cows in the lowing herd, I DON'T KNOW HOW SHE DOES IT manages to keep a breezy tone most of the time and barely wades in up to its knees in the melodrama pool. Once I got over the initial horror of watching a chick flick with Sarah Jessica Parker in it, I found myself grudgingly admitting that this is one movie of its kind with a few of its baking supplies in the right place.

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MICHAEL FEINSTEIN: THE SINATRA LEGACY -- DVD review by porfle

2011-12-24T23:31:00.000-08:00

Every once in a while we get something like this to review, and while my initial reaction is decidedly less than enthusiastic, it usually ends up appealing to that small part of me which actually enjoys this kind of stuff. First it was Barry Manilow, then Stephen Sondheim, and now comes Image Entertainment's MICHAEL FEINSTEIN: THE SINATRA LEGACY (2011), a concert film that fans of Frank Sinatra and/or Michael Feinstein should like at least as much as I did.

Five-time Grammy winner Feinstein, referred to by many as "the keeper of the classics" and an authority on what's known as The Great American Songbook, takes the stage of the beautiful and spacious Palladium in Carmel, Indiana for this tribute to Sinatra and his musical legacy. Backed by musical director Bill Elliott and an orchestra which is, as you might assume, impeccable, he pays homage not only to the man himself but also to the many influences that shaped his style and those that he himself influenced.

The show opens with the rousing "Once in a Lifetime", which introduces novices such as myself to the energetic singer and his easy way of connecting with the audience. Feinstein doesn't have the powerhouse pipes of Sinatra, Tony Bennett, or Dean Martin, but he loves to belt out a pop standard or showtune with emotion and a style that alternates between hammy and intimate. His performance never gives way to empty bombast, thank goodness, although a song's finale will sometimes find him standing on the piano working one of those sustained breath-busting end notes.

This lively opening segues into the cool jazz of the Sinatra standard "I Thought About You", followed by "Fly Me to the Moon", which Feinstein performs as a slow ballad the way it was originally intended. The arrangement is very sparse--guitar and plucked bass only--and it's interesting to hear the song done in this way.

After doing a dead-on impression of Paul Lynde that should please his fans (myself included), he delivers a simmering version of "Put On a Happy Face/A Lot of Livin' to Do" from "Bye Bye Birdie" which starts with him showing off his considerable skills on the piano. The Lynde imitation is our first sample of Feinstein's knack for both mimicry and getting laughs out of his listeners.

After explaining why Cole Porter, a Gentile, wrote the most Jewish-sounding pop songs of his era we get a demonstration by way of a virtuoso piano intro to Porter's "So In Love." A later instrumental number, Ary Barroso's "Brazil", will be an even bigger workout for Feinstein's nimble fingers.

Taking time out to recount a funny anecdote about the first time he actually met Sinatra as a young up-and-comer, he performs a lesser-known Sinatra tune, "There'll Be Some Changes Made", which was first recorded by Billie Holliday and Ethel Waters. Feinstein uses this as an example of how musical influences are passed down from one singer to another over the years. Cole Porter's "Begin the Beguine", a hit for Sinatra in the 40s which he then dropped from his repertoire, is given a fantasy arrangement in the style of Sinatra's collaborations with Nelson Riddle in the 50s.

"For Once In My Life", a later hit for the legendary singer, is included to show his desire to keep adding new songs to his arsenal rather than resting on his laurels. Feinstein then performs "Maybe This Time" from "Cabaret" as a nod to his friend Liza Minelli, and finally finishes with the usual bells and whistles of "New York, New York" while standing on the piano and belting out another one of those final notes that almost make you run out of breath yourself just listening to it. The show ends with Feinstein making a quick exit and leaving them wantin' more.

The DVD from Image Entertainment is in 16x9 widescreen with Dolby 5.1 and DTS 5.1 sound. There are no subtitles or extras.

If The Great American Songbook doesn't do anything for you, then you probably should regard MICHAEL FEINSTEIN: THE SINATRA LEGACY the same way a little kid does when presented with a hot, heaping plateful of spinach. I happen to like spinach, though, and this batch goes down pretty easy.

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SINNERS AND SAINTS -- DVD review by porfle

2011-12-23T21:16:00.000-08:00

Yet another cop flick set in post-Katrina New Orleans, 2010's SINNERS AND SAINTS thankfully dispenses with the blah-blah politics this time and simply takes advantage of the stricken city's inherent appeal as a gritty and noirish backdrop for war in the streets.

Much of the film is the usual run-of-the-mill renegade cop vs. vile villains stuff which, in itself, is far from interesting or imaginative enough to hold our interest. What really makes this one worth watching is the fact that when the cop(s) and the bad guys clash the result is bullet-riddled, bone-crushing 80s-style action.

Johnny Strong (BLACK HAWK DOWN, GET CARTER) stars as Detective Sean Riley, one of those fearless, hardbitten cops with nothing to lose whose file gets a lot of wear and tear down at Internal Affairs. A series of horrific murders in which victims are set alight, extinguished, and then ignited again repeatedly prompts inexperienced homicide detective Will Ganz (Kevin Phillips) to seek Riley's help, and these unlikely partners get involved in a (mostly negligible) web of intrigue woven by a group of ex-military assassins led by stone-cold killer Crowe (Costas Mandylor, DINOCROC, the SAW series).

Once we learn a bit about Riley's tragic history, Ganz' idyllic home-and-family life, and something about why the bad guys are going around offing people, that's about all we need to know. After that, we can just sit back and wait for the four or five kickass action setpieces that come along every now and then to raise the film to a higher level. The opening sequence gets things off to a rousing start as Riley and his associates track down some perps to their hideout and get caught up in a blazing shootout that ends with Riley executing their leader (he deserved it), which then gets him in hot water with his stern-but-sympathetic precinct captain (PLATOON's Tom Berenger in a minor role).

Before long the bullets start flying again when Riley and Ganz interrupt an immolation and get into another gunfight, this time with the villains being led by Louis Mandylor (BARE KNUCKLES, MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING) doing a bang-up job as Crowe's psychotic second-in-command, Cole. Ordinance aplenty is expended by pistols and machine guns as innocent bystanders get caught in the crossfire and a gum-chewing Riley coolly pops caps.

Later, mayhem ensues again in a mostly abandoned neighborhood as more automatic weapons fire chews up a number of ravaged houses along with various unfortunate people on both sides, ending in a good old-fashioned explosion. The final action scenes are highlighted by a delightful exchange in which Riley is in the clutches of a whole group of big ugly mofos and manages to take them all out Bruce Willis style before going after the Big Cheese himself.

As Riley, Johnny Strong reminds me somewhat of William Petersen's "Chance" in TO LIVE AND DIE IN L.A.--another cocky, renegade cop with a casual disregard for the rules--only not quite as good. Kevin Phillips, for whom SINNERS AND SAINTS is a definite step up from the horrible ROCK THE PAINT and the boring PRIDE, does an okay job as the more sedate, by-the-book Ganz, while Costas Mandylor excells as Crowe by not overplaying the part.

Making brief cameo appearances are Jürgen Prochnow as the Russian crime lord behind it all and the great Kim Coates (who will always be "Chet" from THE LAST BOY SCOUT to me) as a cop who zigs when he should've zagged. "Star Trek: Enterprise" co-star Jolene Blalock turns up in one scene about halfway through, and Method Man is effectively scary as a vengeful drug dealer named Weddo whose little brother falls victim to the heinous baddies.

Like the script by co-writer Jay Moses, director William Kaufman is merely okay during the talky parts but first-rate when the action heats up. A lot of the effectiveness of the performances and dialogue scenes is drained away by an overbearing musical score (composed and performed by Strong) that's slathered all over everything like too much mustard on a ham sandwich. Production values are modest but efficient.

The DVD from Anchor Bay is in 2.35:1 widescreen with Dolby Digital 5.1 sound and subtitles in English and Spanish. Extras consist of a very brief (about four minutes) "making-of" short and some deleted scenes.

Storywise, SINNERS AND SAINTS is just the same-old same-old that we've seen in countless other mid-level cop flicks. But once the shooting starts, it's funtime for action fans.

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THE SIMPSONS: THE FOURTEENTH SEASON -- DVD review by porfle

2011-12-22T22:47:00.000-08:00

Whenever I hear that heavenly chorus singing the title as the camera's eye descends upon the town of Springfield--followed by one of the greatest TV sitcom themes of all time (thanks to Danny Elfman)--I know I'm in for a half-hour of almost supernaturally blissful cartoon comedy. With 20-Century Fox's 4-disc DVD set THE SIMPSONS: THE FOURTEENTH SEASON, I get to experience this heady sensation 22 times!

That may sound a little over-the-top, but aye carumba!, I love this show. Breezy, colorful, and as addictive as only the most delectable mind candy can be, the irreverent and sharply satirical (yet often heartfelt) adventures of Homer and Marge Simpson and their kids Bart, Lisa, and Maggie easily earn a spot in the top ten greatest situation comedy series of all time. Maybe even the top five. Top three? Arguably.

Some fans insist that the long-running show has long been running on fumes, but by season fourteen it was still going strong, netting an impressive array of guest stars, winning Emmys, and serving up some of its most memorable episodes with all the familiar panache. As usual, each one reels us in with some intriguing situation which seems to be the main plotline until it unexpectedly veers into something entirely different.

A family jigsaw-puzzle obsession leads to Homer and Marge's sudden breakup; a disastrous trip to the Springfield Botanical Gardens morphs into a heartwarming love story between baby Maggie and eternal loser Moe the bartender ("Moe Baby Blues"). When movie star Ranier Wolfcastle holds an estate sale to pay off his debts, this gag-filled opening gives no indication of the trauma that will ensue when Marge is mugged on the way home and becomes a trembling agoraphobe hiding out in the family basement ("The Strong Arms of the Ma").

The season comes charging out of the gate with an outstanding Halloween episode, "Treehouse of Horror XIII", featuring three scarifying stories: "Send in the Clones", in which Homer acquires a magic hammock that generates even dumber duplicates of himself; "The Fright to Creep and Scare Harms", which tells what happens when the Old West's baddest outlaws rise from the grave to menace Springfield just after Lisa has succeeded in wiping out all handguns; and "The Island of Dr. Hibbert", a twist on the old H.G. Wells tale which has the Simpsons and other characters being transformed into manimals.

This is followed by one of the series' most celebrated episodes, "How I Spent My Strummer Vacation." After an inebriated Homer is caught dissing his family life on the reality show "Taxicab Conversations", Marge and the kids decide he needs a break and ship him off to a Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp presided over by none other than guest voice talent Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Elvis Costello, Tom Petty, Lenny Kravitz, and Brian Setzer.

"Barting Over" marks the milestone 300th episode (or does it?) with Bart suing to become an emancipated minor and becoming pals with skateboard ace Tony Hawk after moving into his own loft apartment. In "Pray Anything", Homer's ongoing turbulent relationship with God is further explored when he's awarded ownership of the church in an accident suit and turns it into party central.

"Three Gays of the Condo" finds him exploring the world of homosexuality, not to mention his first guy-guy kiss, when yet another tiff with Marge results in him rooming with two gays including guest voice Scott Thompson ("The Kids in the Hall"). Marge's unconscious resentment of Homer surfaces with a string of attempts on his life in "Brake My Wife, Please", featuring the voices of Steve Buscemi, Jackson Brown, and Jane Kaczmarek.

Other episodes in this collection include "Bart vs. Lisa vs. the Third Grade", "Large Marge" (a hospital mix-up results in Marge being given huge fake boobs), "Helter Shelter", "The Great Louse Detective", "Special Edna" (regular Marcia Wallace voices Bart's lovelorn teacher Miss Krabappel), "The Dad Who Knew Too Little", "I'm Spelling As Fast As I Can", "A Star is Born Again" (widower Ned Flanders has an affair with Marisa Tomei's sexy movie star character Sara Sloane), "Mr. Spritz Goes to Washington" (Krusty the Clown runs for Congress), "C.E. D'oh", "'Scuse Me While I Miss the Sky", "Dude, Where's My Ranch?", "Old Yeller-Belly", and "The Bart of War."

Some of the guest voices not already mentioned: Kelsey Grammer (returning as Bart's eternal nemesis Sideshow Bob), Tony Bennett, Jan Hooks, Adam West and Burt Ward, Baha Men, Larry Holmes, David "Squiggy" Lander, Little Richard, Elliot Gould, Pamela Reed, Ken Burns, Lisa Leslie, blink-182, George Plimpton, Jim Brooks, Helen Fielding, Joe Mantegna (as mobster Fat Tony), "Monty Python" star Eric Idle, "Weird Al" Yankovic, David Byrne, Andy Serkis, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, and Stacy Keach.

In addition to some beautifully designed menus featuring the entire cast being hosted for "dinner" by ravenous aliens Kang and Kodos, the set is overflowing with a wealth of fun special features. These include an introduction by creator Matt Groening (bo-ring!), audio commentaries on all episodes, deleted scenes, lots of featurettes, sketch galleries, and several Easter eggs that can be accessed by pressing the "up" button on individual episode menus. The packaging itself is an eye-pleasing double-sided pictorial foldout containing a sizable information booklet. The only snag is having to fish the discs out of those snug built-in pockets.

Watching THE SIMPSONS: THE FOURTEENTH SEASON is similar to taking a trip through a theme park brimming with childlike delights, like Six Flags or Knott's Berry Farm (but not Dollywood, because Ned Flanders wouldn't approve) without the inconvenience of finding a parking space or having to walk. If you're a Simpsons fan, the rewatchability factor is pretty much endless.

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ICE QUAKE -- DVD review by porfle

2011-12-21T21:13:00.000-08:00

ICE QUAKE (2010) is one of those made-for-SyFy movies that you can take or leave without it having any noticeable effect on your life either way. If you take it, the extended forecast is "bland" with scattered moments of mild excitement.

When a massive ice shelf collapses in the Russian arctic, one consequence is that people in a small town in Alaska start falling into gaping fissures, freezing to death from the escaping gases, or getting nailed by erupting ice geysers. Most of this is occurring on a particular mountain, which--naturally--is where geologist Michael Webster (Brendan Fehr) takes his whiny family to look for a Christmas tree. It isn't long before they're all menaced by the aforementioned natural hazards plus an avalanche or two.

Back at the base of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Col. Bill Hughes (Victor Garber) and his geek squad follow the impending disaster in the "Oh, My God" room, the place where people in SyFy Channel movies look at computer screens and say "Oh, my God" a lot. They discover that a massive amount (gigatons, even) of methane gas is flowing underground and creating havoc wherever it goes. As is typical of this type of low-budget disaster flick, the event has the potential of ending all life on earth, which gives the characters something exciting to talk about.

ICE QUAKE is the kind of effort that chugs along as well as it can within its limited resources without ever managing to be more than mildly watchable. A big drawback is the Un-Steadicam camerawork that's distractingly wobbly (not counting the earth-tremor scenes that are supposed to look that way) and tends toward unintentional Dutch angles. Performances aren't all that strong, either--Fehr is so bland as Michael that one wonders who the heck he beat out for the role, while Holly Dignard as his wife Emily expresses extreme emotion by putting on a "yucky" face.

As a scientist trying to alert the military to the impending methane menace, Rob LaBelle (WATCHMEN, DARK STORM) isn't bad in his brief screen time. Jodelle Ferland and Ryan Grantham are also pretty good as kids Tia and Shane Webster--Ferland, who was in THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE and has been on "Stargate" a couple of times, even gets second billing. The big puzzle is what Victor Garber (TITANIC) is doing in this, especially since he's pretty miscast as a military officer. He spends much of his time in the "Oh, My God" room with a coffee cup grafted to his hand, and whenever he has a dramatic line he neutralizes it by taking a long swig of java.

The frequent use of CGI is pretty well done because, I suppose, it's hard to mess up snow and ice effects compared to rendering dinocrocs and sharktopi. There's also an impressive shot of a helicopter in distress while trying to reel in an injured man on a stretcher, although the actual crash looks typically fake. Some other vehicle-related CGI is similarly unconvincing, while the massive explosions seen in the finale are about as good as can be expected.

The rest of the action consists mainly of people either running around in the snow dodging fissures or gaping at their computer monitors. The film does manage to generate a moderate amount of suspense at the end as a series of detonations intended to stop the methane flow threaten to blow up some of our beloved main characters.

The DVD from Anchor Bay is in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen with Dolby Digital 5.1 sound and English and Spanish subtitles. Bonus features consist of "The Making of 'Ice Quake'" and a trailer.

I didn't actively dislike ICE QUAKE, and it serves its purpose as a time-waster, but apart from that there really isn't much to say for it. It's the kind of movie that you watch because the remote control is out of reach and you don't feel like getting up.

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CITY UNDER SIEGE -- DVD review by porfle

2011-12-20T20:32:00.000-08:00

Some movies are like a feast for entertainment-starved viewers. The Hong Kong action/sci-fi flick CITY UNDER SIEGE (2010), on the other hand, is like a big bag of potato chips. But they're some pretty tasty potato chips.

Aaron Kwok (THE STORM RIDERS) stars as Sunny, a bumbling clown in a traveling circus that's passing through Malaysia. Sunny dreams of following in his late father's footsteps and headlining in the "Flying Dagger" act, but the position is already filled by the vain, cruel Cheung Tai Chu (Collin Chou).

When Cheung and his circus cohorts stumble across an underground laboratory left by the Japanese in WWII, their search for gold nets them all a lungful of experimental gas intended to create super warriors. Sunny escapes before they can silence him, but everyone involved begins to mutate in alarming ways during the boat ride back to Hong Kong. While Sunny undergoes an ultimately more benign change, the others transform into grotesque juggernauts intent on grand theft and citywide destruction.

Comedy and pathos jostle for our attention throughout CITY UNDER SIEGE with Kwok initially playing Sunny for laughs. An early manifestation of the virulent gas results in him temporarily ballooning in size as Kwok dons a pretty convincing fat suit. While waddling down the road, Sunny encounters TV newslady Angel (Qi Shu, THE TRANSPORTER) and fixes her flat tire. Angel later loses her job at the station and becomes Sunny's manager, exploiting him when his burgeoning superpowers turn him into a local hero.

Things finally kick into high gear when the bad mutants go after Sunny, convinced that an antidote for their painfully extreme ugmo-ism can be found in his blood. The first fight scene is lots of frenetic fun, reminding me somewhat of the mutant clashes in the "X-Men" movies (to which you'll probably catch a couple of obvious references).

Jacky Wu (KILLZONE) and Jingchu Zhang are very good as Suen and Tai, two soon-to-be-married cops who specialize in catching supernatural criminals. The combination of their martial arts skills (Wu is in typically good form here) with plenty of hokey-looking wirework results in some pretty thrilling combat action. The choreography is good, the CGI isn't overdone, and the direction by Benny Chan (ROBIN-B-HOOD, NEW POLICE STORY) is crisp and stylish, with little or no shaky-cam or distracting editing.

A slow middle section tracks Sunny's comical rise to fame as a hero and explores the usual mushy relationship stuff. This is followed by a dazzling battle sequence in a TV studio that pulls out all the stops, filled with fireworks, explosions, lots of hand-to-hand combat and imaginative destruction, and further horrifying mutations as the bad guys continue to evolve (the CGI-enhanced makeup effects are fine) and get even more evil.

The film takes a sharp turn into tragedy at this point, going for our tear ducts with a maudlin death scene and a sappy song montage that grinds things to a halt. Finally the action gets back on track when a lovestruck Cheung, now in full body-suit monster mode, kidnaps Angel as Sunny follows in hot pursuit. Their final clash takes place on a busy four-lane highway with vehicular mayhem galore--the super-powered chaos may remind you of SUPERMAN II at times--and is loaded with some amazing stunts. (Even the fake wirework is impressive.) It all comes down to those flying daggers in the end, and another tearful scene of the sort that Hollywood is always getting derided for these days.

The DVD from Funimation is in 16:9 widescreen with Cantonese and English 5.1 surround sound. Subtitles are in English. Bonus features consist of a making-of featurette and trailers for this and other Funimation releases. The film comes as a Blu-Ray/DVD combo pack--this review is for the DVD only.

While probably in no danger of becoming a classic any time soon, CITY UNDER SIEGE comes through with enough mindless mayhem and agitatin' action to feed the part of our brains that craves hokey cinematic junk food. It's all that and a bag of greasy chips.

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H.P. LOVECRAFT'S PICKMAN'S MODEL -- DVD review by porfle

2011-12-19T23:43:00.000-08:00

There have been several adapatations of this H.P. Lovecraft short story over the years, including a segment of Rod Serling's "Night Gallery" and a collection from Lurker Films (reviewed here) which includes three different ones on one DVD. Fierro Films' H.P. LOVECRAFT'S PICKMAN'S MODEL (2008) offers yet another unique interpretation which remains faithful to the original story while condensing or omitting much of the colorful detail.

As usual, the story begins with a severely shaken Thurber telling his friend Eliot of his recent experiences with Richard Upton Pickman, a strange man whose sick, grotesque paintings have gotten him expelled from a high-brow art club ("Ghoul Feeding" being the last straw) while fascinating Thurber with their dreadful realism. After being invited to Pickman's secret studio in Boston's North End, Thurber sees artworks that go beyond any imaginable horror, and then discovers Pickman's true inspiration for these ghastly visions after visiting the sinister artist's dark cellar.

This twenty-minute short is shot on video, using some particularly well-chosen locations, and the direction and cinematography by Gary Fierro are good considering the miniscule budget. There are some exceptional moments, including a cool closeup of Pickman's wicked grin as tendrils of cigarette smoke swirl through his nicotine-stained teeth, and another shot of his face slowly emerging from the darkness to leer over Thurber's shoulder. The camerawork and lighting during the scenes in Pickman's cellar, pitch dark save for the flickering flame of a lantern, are very atmospheric.

Jesse Murphy as Thurber and Derek Meinecke as Eliot do a capable job with their exposition-heavy dialogue. But Conor Timmis (KREATING KARLOFF) is the main attraction here, clearly relishing the chance to portray the cackling, repellent Pickman with an old-school acting style similar to that seen in the early Universals. He's very good here, and I'd like to have seen him get the chance to develop the character over a longer period of time.

A little more time might also have helped in laying the groundwork for the story and building up to its surprise conclusion; as it is, I'm not sure how effective the ending will be for someone unfamiliar with Lovecraft's story. In it, Pickman is a talkative loon, and the things he tells Thurber give the tale much of its flavor, along with Thurber's horrified descriptions of the subject matter of Pickman's work (nicely represented here by some suitably grisly paintings by Fierro himself).

Justin Tacchi's script, co-written with Fierro, skims over many of the juicy details that might have given richer meaning to Pickman's strange past, the mystery of his cellar, and the reason why Thurber will no longer ride the subway. And just as this film was starting to grab me with its spooky atmosphere and its effective portrayal of Pickman, it was over.

A twenty-minute "making of" documentary featuring the cast and crew is informative, though rather static. More entertaining is "Creating a Villain", a look at the process by which makeup FX artist Norman Bryn (CLOVERFIELD) turned Timmis into the vile Pickman, and a commentary track featuring Timmis, Fierro, and Tacchi. Also included are a brief behind-the-scenes slideshow, a trailer, and, last but not least, the entire text of Lovecraft's original short story.

H.P. LOVECRAFT'S PICKMAN'S MODEL is neither the best nor the worst adaptation of the story that I've seen. But for a production whose budget totaled little more than a few hundred dollars--and despite a rushed ending--it's a respectable effort, and worth a look if you're a Lovecraft fan.

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THE ABC OF LOVE AND SEX AUSTRALIA STYLE -- DVD review by porfle

2011-12-18T20:29:00.000-08:00

Ozploitation director John D. Lamond returns to titillate us once again with 1978's THE ABC OF LOVE AND SEX AUSTRALIA STYLE, a by-the-letters primer on "doin' it" that manages the remarkable feat of making sex boring.

Unlike the previous Lamond documentary we talked about, AUSTRALIA AFTER DARK, this one eschews the scattershot approach and focuses on a single subject. Assuming we know little or nothing about it ourselves, the film opens during Professor Leonard Lovitt's sex education class for kids and invites us to join them in listening to his lecture. This sequence is done with stop-motion animated puppets and is pretty much the only marginally charming part of the whole thing.

As the professor starts his projector, the film proper begins with two women in leotards dancing badly around some giant alphabet blocks to an innocuous disco tune. This gives way to a letter-by-letter journey through the alphabet beginning with "A" for "anatomy", in which we're introduced to the differences between male and female genitalia. (More on that when we get to the letter "G.") "B" is for "birth", offering some extreme close-ups of a nursing baby that had me thinking, "Huh?"

"C" for "contraceptive" seems to be an excuse for some product placement along the lines of the "Budget Rent-a-Car" shots in AUSTRALIA AFTER DARK, and "D" for "dreams" informs us that people like to dream about sex. Surprisingly, "E" for "erotic", while managing to define the word, comes up short actually demonstrating it. An attempt to mimic the "erotic" eating scene in TOM JONES consists of two stiffs staring meaningfully at each other while gnashing chicken, grapes, and bananas in an affected manner.

Elsewhere, another couple pretend to have oral sex in a movie theater--mainly we just see the guy's face--and then join the "mile-high club" by kissing real hard in an airplane. Kissing real hard seems to be the prevalent means of simulating the sex act in many of these vignettes.

"F" for "fun" shows us a couple of people hopping around in a bubble bath. "H" for "homosexual" is an excuse to indulge in "funny" stereotypes as a bunch of queens camp it up during a gay party, followed by a somewhat more enjoyable lesbian encounter. "Innocence" is equated with "ignorance" as virginity gets the bird. The scenario used to illustrate "J" for "jealousy", in which a woman tries to pick up a man in a bar, is intended as a startling role-reversal while having nothing at all to do with "jealousy." As you might guess, "K" for "kiss" shows various couples kissing real hard.

Onward we slog through the rest of the letters as "love", "masturbation", something starting with an "N" that I can't recall, and of course the big "O" are similarly dramatised in lighthearted but relentlessly dull fashion as narrators Michael Cole and Sandy Gore drone monotonously. This isn't just a parody of a dry, clinical sex manual--it often comes off as one, even throwing in the occasional comment by some Swedish sexologist who resembles Quasimodo's mom. For anyone actually trying to get off to this movie, her appearances would be the equivalent of thinking about baseball.

It's hard to imagine this tepid pseudo-educational film appealing to the raincoat crowd, though, or even the "watch naughty movies on cable after Mom and Dad have gone to bed" faction. Observing various (mainly unattractive) couples acting out the enervating voiceover isn't the kind of thing one might want to use as a sex aid, or see at a drive-in or grindhouse. So who the heck is this largely unerotic sex movie meant to appeal to? Even the captive audience of an actual "Introduction to Sex" class would find it hard to sit through.

Aside from a snippet of cuteness here and there (the elevator-sex scene reaches the film's peak of verbal humor by deftly including the words "lift" and "elevate" in the narration), the only interest is in the brief bits of nudity, including, at around the halfway point, some actual shots of penetration.

However, for any couples desperate enough to be using this film to put a cheerful charge into their love life, up jumps "R" for "rape" to throw some cold water on it with a jarringly out-of-place lapse into grim seriousness. Lamond cheats a bit by giving us "X" for "excellence", and then "Y" for "you" gives him an excuse to recap the entire film with a montage of scenes that were already dull the first time. As for "Z"...well, he couldn't think of anything for "Z." What about "zipper"? Or "zoo"? Okay, maybe not "zoo."

The DVD from Intervision Picture Corp. is widescreen with Dolby 2.0 sound. No subtitles. There's a commentary with director Lamond and "Not Quite Hollywood" director Mark Hartley. The box mentions a trailer reel but I couldn't find one.

A mildly interesting peek at 70s sexual mores and dull filmmaking, THE ABC OF LOVE AND SEX AUSTRALIA STYLE (which, incidentally, has absolutely nothing to do with Australia) pits lots of nudity and some brief scenes of hardcore sex against unrelenting boredom in a touch-and-go battle that left me teetering on the edge of indifference. Around about the twentieth time some random couple was shown toying with each other's buttons and kissing real hard, I found myself wishing the alphabet wasn't so damn long.

THE H.P. LOVECRAFT COLLECTION, VOLUME 4: PICKMAN'S MODEL -- DVD review by porfle

2011-12-17T22:30:00.000-08:00

THE H.P. LOVECRAFT COLLECTION, VOLUME 4: PICKMAN'S MODEL, conceived and produced by Andrew Migliore for Lurker Films, is part of their continuing effort to bring us the best of the short films based on the works of H.P. Lovecraft. The previous volumes were entitled "Cool Air", "Rough Magik", and "Out of Mind." Here, Lovecraft's chilling tale "Pickman's Model" is presented in three different interpretations, supplemented by two other short films. Collectively, they add up to a couple of hours of solid entertainment for the Gothic horror fan.

I was unwilling to start another Lovecraft film review with the disclaimer "I've never read any of his stories, but...", so I found a website containing his complete works and gave "Pickman's Model" a read. It's the eerie story of Richard Upton Pickman, a deranged artist whose paintings depict scenes of carnage and depravity so realistic and repellent that he is shunned by the "tea table" art crowd. All except for a man named Thurber, who is morbidly fascinated by Pickman's work and wants to see more. Pickman obliges him by inviting Thurber to the dark, haunted cellar where he does his most gruesome work and showing him exactly from whence springs his malevolent inspiration. Which, as you might guess, turns out to be a rather unsettling experience for the unsuspecting art lover.

It's a very short story told in flashback by Thurber to his friend Eliot after the fact, and any filmization must be augmented by extra dialogue and events. At 43 minutes, the 2000 TV-film "Chilean Gothic", directed by Roberto Harrington from an adaptation by Gilberto Villarroel, is the longest and most altered version on this disc.

Here, the "Thurber" character is a journalist named Gabriel (Rodrigo Sepúlveda) who is investigating the violent death of his friend Anibal, whose last known whereabouts were in the company of the renegade artist Pickman. He interviews Pickman's only friend, an eccentric old professor named Mattotti, and the slovenly caretaker of a crumbling apartment house where Pickman once lived. Both meet a violent end on the same night that Gabriel is lurking through the hidden tunnels beneath the apartment house, where he finds human remains.

Tracking Pickman down to a remote island, he finds him inhabiting a large, shadowy mansion surrounded by paintings and sketches of unimaginable, otherworldly horror. Here, Pickman is played by Renzo Oviedo as a frizzy-haired wild man--the other versions will each interpret him quite differently. Gabriel's confrontation with Pickman leads to an event which is common to each of these films, which is the emergence of some terrifying, unnameable beast from a brick well within the cellar of Pickman's house. This leads to a final revelation for Gabriel which is unique to "Chilean Gothic" and not found in any other version. It comes as a pretty satisfying shock ending.

Sepúlveda and Oviedo are intense in the lead roles and the film unfolds as a scintillating mystery that is well told, with an atmosphere of dread that lets us know things aren't going to end on a happy note. Aside from some shock cuts of Aribal's ravaged body, most of the horror is left to the viewer's imagination, including Pickman's paintings themselves. As Thurber tells his friend Eliot in the short story: "There's no use in my trying to tell you what they were like, because the awful, the blasphemous horror, and the unbelievable loathsomeness and moral foetor came from simple touches quite beyond the power of words to classify." Director Harrington reveals only oblique glimpses of the paintings to give us an idea of their content, with one notable exception: a full-on view of Francisco Goya's horrific "Saturn Devouring His Children", which will also pop up in the Italian version next on the disc.

Producer-director Giovanni Furore's "Pickman's Model" (2003) begins with a young woman answering an ad for a painter's model and ending up as an entree for the creature in Pickman's cellar. Then we veer a bit closer to actual Lovecraft territory as a distraught Howard (Vittorio de Stefano) stumbles into the home of his friend Russel (Alessandro di Lorenzo) one night with a cloth-covered painting and a strange story. The painting is a Pickman original, which piques the interest of art-lover Russel, and the story is similar to Lovecraft's, with Howard and Russel standing in for Thurber and Eliot.

This time, the Pickman that Howard meets at an art exhibition is portrayed by Lorenzo Mori as a twisted, spidery hunchback with a really evil leer. He leads Howard through some creepy old Italian backalleys to a dark, spooky house with stone passageways dripping with water and a cellar with the usual brick well. As before, the content of Pickman's paintings is only hinted at, but this time we get a disturbing impression of them via subliminal flashes of some truly demented photographs--you'll want to go back and do some frame-advancing to get the full effect. At one point, the wooden lid to the well starts to rattle violently, and Pickman grabs a gun and locks Howard out of the room, saying something about "rats." Well, once we hear the blood-chilling racket going on in there, we know it ain't rats--the sound effects alone are enough to give you a large case of the willies.

The rich cinematography here is nice after the grainy visuals of the Chilean effort, and Lorenzo Mori's scuttling, sinister Pickman is delightfully loathesome. The story builds nicely to an ending that explicity follows the one in the short story, right down to a shot of the cellar creature itself. It's still a bit less than our imaginations are capable of conjuring up, but the set-up and pay-off for the twist ending are well-handled.

Next comes my favorite of the bunch, Texas director Cathy Welch's 1981 college thesis film "Pickman's Model." The low-budget black and white photography makes it look like something out of the 60s--in fact, the dark, moody atmosphere and nightmarish locations give it the same oppressive aura that hung so heavily over Francis Ford Coppola's DEMENTIA 13 and Herk Harvey's CARNIVAL OF SOULS. This time we finally get an actual Thurber, although his friends call him "Bill" (Mac Williams), and he's relating his strange story to his gal-pal Ellen (Nancy Griffith), which is pretty close to "Eliot."

Bill and Ellen are members of an art club that consists mainly of straight-laced conservatives with little appreciation for the ghastly canvases of the eccentric Pickman (the director's brother, Marc Mahan). As Bill enthusiastically tells Ellen, "Pickman dredges up our darkest fantasies...the ancient terrors in our collective subconscious," while she cautions him, "There's a trick to being fascinated with the perverse without becoming perverse yourself."

Marc Mahan portrays Pickman as a man with a deceptively bland yet somehow ominous appearance which masks the keenly decadent and ultimately dangerous intellect within. When he is expelled from the art club, Bill goes with him, intent on finishing his manuscript about Great Painters He Has Known with a special section on Pickman. He gets invited to the man's house for a look at some of his latest works, and after proving his worthiness, is then taken to Pickman's super-secret studio where he does his really undiluted and downright freaky stuff.

Deep in the heart of old Boston, a richly-historical setting haunted by the ghosts of the past and resonating with leftover evil from the days of the Salem witch trials, Pickman's crumbling old mansion is a nightmare-inducing spook house. The well in the cellar, which in the other versions of the story is simply a generic doorway to Hell, is here directly related to the Salem witchcraft days in that it is a doorway to the underground passageways that were said to allow the witches and other creatures of the night to secretly commune with one another, and which may still contain something best left alone. Pickman himself is part of that lineage--as he tells Bill, his four-time great-grandmother was hanged as a witch under the stern gaze of none other than Cotton Mather.

Bill becomes increasingly disturbed by Pickman's paintings as we finally get to see some of them as described in Lovecraft's short story. The renderings are crude but interesting, especially a portrait of a Puritan family in quiet prayer. They're all bent in solemn communion with God except for the little boy, who is leering at the viewer with anything but pure thoughts. Other paintings show victims being attacked and devoured by strange canine-human hybrids in graveyards and subways. One of them, which depicts one of these beasts killing a boy, is brought startlingly to life in a shocking makeup-effects shot that is cheap but effective. But most disturbing to Bill is the fact that Pickman's paintings are starting to dredge up primal fears within him that seem to be connected to past experiences that his memory has suppressed.

The sequence in which the unknown creature begins to emerge from the well is handled better here than in any of the other versions. Bill is locked out and must listen to the blood-curdling noises behind the door until finally Pickman emerges. There's something different about him now--he's hairier, his hands and face are twisted, and his teeth are sharper--in other words, he's beginning to resemble one of those creatures in his paintings. At that point, Bill suddenly remembers something he had to do somewhere else, and gets his hindquarters out of there.

Lovecraft's story ends with the main character revealing that he swiped a photograph that was pinned to one of Pickman's canvases and stuffed it in his pocket. Pickman always took photographs from which to better render the background details for his paintings--or so he said. In the short story, as in this and the Italian film version, a final revelation concerning Pickman's photographs supplies the twist ending. But here, there's an added sequence that pushes Cathy Welch's interpretation of the story even further into horror film territory and gives it a chilling ending that's right out of your worst nightmares. Which is just one of the reasons I consider this film to be the highlight of the collection.

The six-minute short that follows is a distinct change of pace. Based on a single sentence from an unfinished story by Lovecraft, Holland's "Between The Stars" (1998) features Jos Urbanis as Minnekens, an increasingly self-absorbed office drone whose only pleasure in life is to lie on his back with his head sticking out the window and gaze up the airshaft between the surrounding apartment buildings at a single square of star-bedecked night sky. Another beautifully-shot black and white entry, Djie Han Thung's film is reminiscent of David Lynch's ERASERHEAD in style and content. We really get into this guy's head as he wanders totally detached through his daily life, preoccupied with the facial pores of a chattering coworker or the miniscule white specks in the printed letters of a book. A strangely upbeat ending ties this odd entry off rather neatly.

Finally, we get some primitive, old-school computer animation in the form of Geoffrey D. Clark's adaptation of Lovecraft's "In The Vault", the story of a vile cemetery caretaker named George Birch. This drunken old sot isn't above tossing the dear departed into mismarked graves, robbing them of their valuables, or burying two of them together to save the effort of digging separate holes. When a long freeze makes gravedigging impossible, the bodies are stored together in a vault until the spring thaw. As fate would have it, George gets locked into this vault one night and must figure out a way to escape. But before he does, the meanness and cruelty he has shown to his vault-mates in both life and death comes back to haunt him in a big way.

Clark's rendition of the story is short and simple--more of a childlike fairytale than a horror story--and it comes and goes leaving little lasting impression. So I read the original story to see if there was more to it than that, and sure enough, it's a dark and disturbing tale of terror that could've yielded a much better adaptation than this. As it is, Clark's "In The Vault" is a pleasant diversion, sort of like the cartoon that theaters used to play along with the feature, but it had the potential of being memorably frightening if only the source material had been better utilized.

I'm glad I watched THE H.P. LOVECRAFT COLLECTION, VOLUME 4: PICKMAN'S MODEL, because not only did it prompt me to finally start reading Lovecraft after all these years, but it also provided me with a highly-enjoyable evening's worth of really good Gothic horror. Seeing how a single short story can yield such a mix of wildly-different styles and interpretations makes it consistently interesting. And it's a great example of how mood and atmosphere can be just as effective, and sometimes more so, than a bunch of shock cuts and gore effects.

Buy it at Amazon.com

BEYOND THE WALL OF SLEEP -- movie review by porfle

2011-12-16T21:21:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure how the average H.P. Lovecraft fan will react to it, so my impressions of BEYOND THE WALL OF SLEEP (2006) were based solely on the movie itself and not on how well or how badly screenwriter Barrett J. Leigh adapted it from Lovecraft's short story. As such, I found it to be one of the creepiest and most over-the-top horror films I've seen in recent years.

The story takes place in one of those nightmarish insane asylums (circa 1911) in which the grievously abused and neglected patients serve as guinea pigs in the mad experiments of crazed doctors. Young Dr. Eischel (Fountain Yount) is conducting his own really interesting experiment on a catatonic, cadaverous-looking woman named Ardelia--strapped to a chair, her skull has been sawed through for easy pop-top access to her brain, into which Dr. Eischel sticks electrodes that are hooked up to a device he uses to stimulate various nerve centers. I was never really sure what his goal was (something about harnessing the enery of thought), but it didn't really matter because the whole thing was wonderfully weird and horrific.

Meanwhile, Dr. Wardlow (Kurt Hargan), a profoundly cruel, power-mad alienist (okay, I had to look it up--"alienist: n. 'A physician who has been accepted by a court of law as an expert on the mental competence of principals or witnesses appearing before it'", according to www.answers.com) is presiding over the hearing of a wretched piece of human flotsam named Joe Slaader (William Sanderson, BLADE RUNNER, "Newhart"), who has been caught butchering a bunch of his fellow inbred hillbillies and running around in the woods with one of the severed heads. Dr. Wardlow delights in pointing out Joe's myriad less-appealing qualities, including a large hump in his back that resembles a human face--the result of a fetal twin that didn't quite successfully make it through the gestation process.

Wardlow, who can't wait to get this guy on an operating table for some good old surgical fun, applies leeches to Joe's body to "suck out the madness" and suggests cutting out the malformed twin, but Dr. Eischel contemptuously derides him as an idiot, initiating an intensely confrontational relationship between the two. When Dr. Eischel later finds the chance to examine Joe on his own, he discovers that the fetal twin is alive and conscious--in fact, it is the dominant consciousness within the shared body, coming to the fore whenever Joe goes to sleep and telekinetically ripping people to bloody shreds (one of the few coherent things Joe ever says is the chant, "I kiss my loved ones...I go to sleep...I wake up with bad things"). Giddy with anticipation, Eischel vows to circumvent Dr. Wardlow's surgical plans and get Joe hooked up to his brain machine.

And that's just for starters. Believe me, this is one weird movie, and it gets weirder by the minute, eventually culminating in a grand, blood-drenched finale in which skulls are drilled, electrodes are implanted into living brains and the brains of several severed heads on spikes, and a terrifying Netherworld creature named Amducious claws its way into our dimension (via some not-so-great CGI).

Along the way, some of the patients in the asylum find themselves hanging upside-down in their cells by some unseen force as all the flesh is ripped from their bones, and the lovely Ardelia, her body reanimated by Amducious' will, pries the head off of the recently-ousted asylum director who has discovered her in the basement, just as he is about to gleefully rape her. One thing you have to say about this movie--it's pretty eventful.

It's also very deliberately stylish, and stylized--filmed in black-and-white, with color appearing only in the scenes in which Amducious' presence is felt, BEYOND THE WALL OF SLEEP is a dizzying collage of wild camerawork and sometimes rapid-fire editing, especially in the deeply unsettling dream sequences. The most unique thing about it, though, which is also the thing that will turn off many viewers, is the highly stylized acting. Everyone in the cast attacks their characters as though they were performing in a silent movie or perhaps the most melodramatic Grand Guignol theater presentation imaginable, manically emoting for the people in the back row, and this effect is even carried over into the stagelike makeup, costumes, and set design.

It's purely intentional on the part of directors Barrett J. Leigh and Thom Maurer, and contributes to the heavy layer of black humor that permeates the entire movie, as well as its oppressive sense of unenlightened antiquity. I'm sure a lot of people will simply regard this as horrible acting, which, in some cases, it may be. But it worked for me.

Will Lovecraft fans like this movie? I have no idea, but judging from their reactions to most of the previous cinematic adaptations of the author's works, probably not. On its own terms, however, I found it to be a wildly inventive, nightmarish, shocking, funny, and unabashedly bizarre experience that was enough fun for me to disregard its faults. Plus, it's a visual feast for gorehounds, who will also be pleased to see Tom Savini in an all-too-brief role early on.

BEYOND THE WALL OF SLEEP is a film that is definitely not for everyone, but if you get hooked into it just right, you may have almost as much fun as Ardelia does when Dr. Eischel sticks an electrode into the pleasure center of her brain and turns up the dial.

Buy it at Amazon.com

Anchor Bay Films acquires "SEEKING JUSTICE" starring Nicolas Cage, January Jones and Guy Pearce

2011-12-15T21:47:00.000-08:00

ANCHOR BAY FILMS ACQUIRES "SEEKING JUSTICE" - THE ENDGAME ENTERTAINMENT THRILLER STARRING NICOLAS CAGE, JANUARY JONES AND GUY PEARCE

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – Anchor Bay Films has picked up the U.S. rights to the Nicolas Cage thriller, Seeking Justice. Slated for a March 16th theatrical release, the film co-stars January Jones (X-Men: First Class, Anger Management) and Guy Pearce (The Hurt Locker, The King’s Speech) . Directed by Roger Donaldson (The Bank Job, Dante’s Peak), Seeking Justice was produced by Endgame Entertainment’s James D. Stern, along with Ram Bergman and Material Entertainment’s Tobey Maguire and Jenno Topping. Bill Clark, President of Anchor Bay Entertainment, made today’s announcement.

“Seeking Justice is a fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat action thriller and Cage is outstanding in it,” commented Kevin Kasha, Executive Vice President, Acquisitions and Co-Productions. “This crowd pleaser is a great addition to the Anchor Bay Films line-up.”

“We are thrilled that Seeking Justice has found a home with Anchor Bay,” stated Endgame CEO James D. Stern. “We look forward to working with them on delivering Roger Donaldson’s stellar work and outstanding performances from Nicolas Cage and January Jones.”

In Seeking Justice, Cage stars as Will Gerard, a happily married and dedicated inner-city high school teacher. His wife, Laura (Jones) is an accomplished musician and they enjoy a comfortable life until one fateful evening shatters everything. Laura is brutally assaulted and while awaiting an update on her condition, Will is approached by a well-dressed man (Pearce) who quietly offers to dispense immediate justice. Required to make a spontaneous decision in a distraught frame of mind, he accepts the proposal and is pulled into an underground vigilante organization that leads to increasingly frightening and dangerous consequences. The film was previously entitled The Hungry Rabbit Jumps.

"Best British TV" on DVD/Blu-ray--Acorn Media's Early 2012 Release Calendar

2011-12-14T21:39:00.000-08:00

“Acorn Media, chief curators of the best Brit TV” –TIME Magazine

January 3, 2012
The Windsors: From George to Kate (U.S. Debut, Athena) – An absorbing 2011 documentary tracing the recent history of the British monarchy from the real King George VI (portrayed in The King’s Speech) through Prince William’s recent wedding. Providing a window into the captivating lives of the British Royal Family, The Windsors gathers archival film footage and photographs from nearly a century of official events. Full of pomp, pageantry, ritual, tradition, and sheer splendor, these historic films portray the Windsors at their most noble. Narrated by actor Brian Blessed (I, Claudius).

Man in a Suitcase, Set 2 (DVD Debut) – A rogue agent for hire in 1960s Europe. The conclusion to the thrilling 1960s spy series features a candid and unfiltered, 69-minute bonus interview with star Richard Bradford (The Untouchables, Cagney & Lacey). Bradford stars as the savvy and adventurous “Mac” McGill, a cynical yet honest spy who has been disavowed by his American bosses and is on the run from a host of international enemies. Sharply written and featuring a host of superb guest stars (Donald Sutherland, Felicity Kendal, Philip Madoc, and Edward Fox), the intriguing drama had national broadcast exposure on ABC in 1968.

Dr. Willoughby (DVD Debut) – A hilarious behind-the-scenes television satire in the vein of The Larry Sanders Show and Soap, Dr. Willoughby stars fan favorite Joanna Lumley (Absolutely Fabulous) as Donna Sinclair, an actress desperately clinging to her fading career. On the sleazy daytime soap in which she stars, Sinclair plays the competent and compassionate Dr. Willoughby. Off-screen, Sinclair is a holy terror—conniving, vain, and utterly insincere. The series is from the production team behind the long-running hit Brit-com Birds of a Feather, and it broadcast in 1999 on ITV and was syndicated on public television.

January 17, 2012
Bill Moyers: Amazing Grace (DVD Debut) – “Spectacular” (Los Angeles Times). An inspiring, Emmy-winning PBS documentary traces the history of the beloved hymn. Legendary journalist Bill Moyers explores the song’s origins and enduring power through 24 captivating performances including Johnny Cash, Judy Collins, Jessye Norman, Marion Williams, the Boys Choir of Harlem, and more. Produced in 1990, the documentary features Jeremy Irons as the voice of John Newton. The DVD also includes Pure Pete Seeger, a 60-minute bonus musical portrait of the folk singer, songwriter, storyteller, and activist, filmed for Bill Moyer’s Journal at Seeger’s home in New York’s Hudson Valley.

George Gently, Series 1 (Blu-ray debut) – “Great, bordering on brilliant” (Esquire.com). The first series of acclaimed British mystery is now on Blu-ray. Likened to Foyle’s War and Midsomer Murders, Martin Shaw (Judge John Deed, The Professionals) stars as the principled detective George Gently in these three feature-length mysteries based on the long-running series of novels by Alan Hunter. Shot in stunning high-definition, these powerful dramas boast clever writing, stylish direction, and strong casts and unfold against the beautiful backdrop of rural Britain during the tumultuous 1960s. George Gently premiered in the U.K. on BBC1 in April 2007 and has run for three series, with a fourth series in production.

January 31, 2012
Agatha Christie’s Poirot, Series 1 and 2 (Blu-ray debuts, DVD) – The first and second series of Agatha Christie’s beloved Belgian detective debut on Blu-ray. The Blu-rays and new DVDs are newly remastered and restored to their original U.K. broadcast order. Fan-favorite and BAFTA nominee David Suchet stars as the brilliant Belgian detective. Based on the novels by Agatha Christie, these lavish adaptations capture every splendid detail of the Art Deco era. Poirot has aired on ITV1 in the U.K. since 1989 and on PBS and A&E in the U.S.

Poldark: The Complete Collection (Value-priced collection) – “The BBC production seduces us completely” (The New York Times). A must-see for costume drama fans, Poldark is now available in a value-priced complete collection. The Emmy® and BAFTA-nominated miniseries, based on the beloved novels by Winston Graham, tells the story of a dashing 18th century English army officer (Robin Ellis, The Good Soldier), who finds the trials and travails at home every bit as perilous as what he faced in war. Hailed as a British Gone with the Wind, the classic miniseries debuted on PBS in May 1977, was featured on “The Best of Masterpiece Theatre” special, and voted one of the 10 most popular shows in the series’ history in a 2007 PBS poll.

February 7, 2012
Northern Lights: The Complete Collection (Home Video Debut) – Robson Green (Being Human, Wire in the Blood, Touching Evil, Reckless) and Mark Benton (Career Girls, Waterloo Road, Murphy’s Law) star in the lighthearted buddy Britcom. Broadcast on BBC America and produced from 2004-2008, the ITV series follows lifelong friends and rivals Colin Armstrong (Green) and Howard Scott (Benton) on a hilarious series of misadventures in these four complete programs. From a stint in witness protection to an international Santa competition, there’s never a dull moment. Features all 12 episodes and two movies plus a 46 min. behind-the-scenes bonus feature.

New Tricks, Season 6 (DVD Debut) – Retired cops solve cold cases in this smash hit, ongoing BBC series seen on public television. Combining compelling stories, likeable characters, and a top-notch cast, this long-running series stars Amanda Redman (Sexy Beast), Dennis Waterman (The Sweeney, Circles of Deceit), Alun Armstrong (Garrow’s Law, Bleak House, Patriot Games), and James Bolam (The Beiderbecke Affair) as a team of semi-retired and somewhat curmudgeonly detectives investigating cold cases. New Tricks has run on the BBC for eight seasons and has already been renewed for a ninth and tenth season.

The Brontes of Haworth – This literary family biopic stars Michael Kitchen (Foyle’s War, My Week with Marilyn) in one of his early roles. Written by poet and playwright Christopher Fry (The Lady’s Not for Burning), this finely crafted portrait explores the soaring artistic achievements and personal tragedies of England’s most accomplished literary family (Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights). Featuring a stellar ensemble cast (Alfred Burke, Barbara Leigh-Hunt) and an outstanding script, this acclaimed period drama is a sensitive exploration of the Brontës’ tender and tragic family history. The miniseries aired in the U.K. in 1973 but has not aired on U.S. television.

February 14, 2012
Battlefield Detectives (Athena) – Seen on the History Channel, the series features new scientific insight into historic battles. What explains the massacre at Waterloo? Why was Gallipoli such a disaster? What role did luck play at Hastings? Battlefield Detectives puts these and other famous battles under the microscope by revisiting the sites—some little changed, others transformed completely—where the fighting took place. Using 3-D computer models, maps, artifacts, original footage, and dramatic reenactments, investigators recreate the conditions at the scene. Produced in 2003-04.

Robin of Sherwood, Set 2 (Blu-ray debut) – History meets myth in a critically acclaimed classic. Connoisseurs of the Robin Hood legend call this action-packed British series the standard by which all other adaptations are measured. Rich with authentic historical detail and cunning plot twists, Robin of Sherwood adds a bit of sorcery and mysticism to the swordplay and social justice that have made the heroic outlaw so endearing and enduring. Starring Jason Connery (Sean’s son) and Ray Winstone (Indiana Jones 4, The Departed, Sexy Beast), this set includes the final 13 episodes of the series in stunning high definition, plus more than 9 hours of bonus features.

Shades – Seen on public television, this poignant drama stars Dervla Kirwan (Ballykissangel) and Stephen Tompkinson (Wild at Heart). They meet in London under unusual circumstances…both are recently deceased. Maeve was killed by a hit-and-run driver, and Mark died during a routine surgery while his wife was giving birth to their son. The two mismatched souls find themselves still in this world, thrown together in a weird and wonderful afterlife. This touching and gently humorous British drama explores what it means to have a chance to help—or hinder—those left behind. Produced in 2000.

February 28, 2012
Midsomer Murders, Set 19 (U.S. debut, DVD, Blu-ray debut of series) – Acorn’s best-selling series debuts on Blu-ray. John Nettles stars as the unflappable Detective Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby, with Jason Hughes (This Life) as his earnest, efficient protégé. Guest stars include James Wilby, Kenneth Cranham, and Neil Dudgeon in his first appearance as DCI John Barnaby. These episodes were produced in 2009 and have not aired in the U.S. The Mysteries: The Made-to-Measure Murders, The Sword of Guillaume, Blood on the Saddle, and The Silent Land.

French Fields Complete Collection – The sequel to Fresh Fields. Frustrated with his daily commute and clients who don’t pay their bills, accountant William Fields (Anton Rodgers, May to December, Lillie) is ready for a change. His wife, Hester (Julia McKenzie, Agatha Christie’s Marple), is always up for something new, so when William gets headhunted for a job in France, both are willing to give it a try. The complete collection includes all three series (1990-93) of this warm and witty Britcom.

The Brief Complete Collection – From the creators of Inspector Morse, Alan Davies (Jonathan Creek) stars in the seriocomic misadventures of clever criminal law barrister Henry Farmer, whose every day is a juggling act between surviving his messy personal life and pleading cases only he can win. Working with tough colleague Cleo Steyn (Cherie Lunghi, Excalibur) and alongside a cast of colorful characters (including Christopher Fulford, Millions, and Linda Bassett, Calendar Girls), Henry will need all his wit and charm to secure justice for his clients and a reprieve for himself. Produced in 2004-05.

Coming up in March/April 2012
A bonus-packed anniversary edition of I, Claudius starring Derek Jacobi, the U.S. debut of Lynda La Plante’s Above Suspicion, Single-Handed Set 2, The Commander Set 2, Secret War, Bill Moyers: Capitol Crimes, Agatha Christie’s Poirot Series 3 and 4, Monroe starring James Nesbitt, In Their Own Words, Out, and the debut of the original Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy on Blu-ray.

Acorn Media/Athena 2011 Highlights:
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and Smiley’s People starring Alec Guinness (Star Wars), Upstairs, Downstairs: 40th Anniversary Edition (21-disc bonus-packed collection), Jeremy Irons in Brideshead Revisited: 30th Anniversary Edition (Blu-ray debut, DVD), Richard Griffiths in Pie in the Sky, James Nesbitt in Murphy’s Law, Aidan Gillen and Charlie Hunnam in Queer as Folk UK, Martin Clunes in the Doc Martin Collection, On the Road with Charles Kuralt: Americana Collection (Sets 1-3), and Midsomer Murders: Barnaby’s Top 10.

In 2011, Acorn’s documentary line Athena also released several thought-provoking, entertaining documentaries, including The Making of the President: The 1960s, Emmy® award-winning, landmark campaign documentaries making their home video debut; Art of the Western World; HBO’s The Battle for Marjah; Weapons Races (DVD debut); The Genius of Design (DVD Debut); The Cosmos: A Beginner’s Guide (U.S. Debut); Genius of Britain: The Scientists Who Changed the World (U.S. Debut);and several acclaimed programs from Bill Moyers

Acorn’s and Athena’s DVD sets are available from select retailers, catalog companies, and direct from Acorn Media at (888) 870-8047 or www.acornonline.com and www.athenalearning.com.

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AUSTRALIA AFTER DARK -- DVD review by porfle

2011-12-13T20:48:00.000-08:00

If you're in the mood for something spicy, saucy, and hot, try some buffalo wings. Otherwise, you may prefer AUSTRALIA AFTER DARK (1975), one of the dullest schock-u-mentaries ever. It's like cashing in all your boredom points and taking a cross-country bus ride to Yawnsville.

Ozploitation director John Lamond, who would later give us NIGHTMARES (so to speak) and FELICITY, leads us on a MONDO CANE-inspired tour through the down-under of Down Under with this disjointed cinematic grab bag. Opening with what looks like a poor man's Bond-movie titles sequence (nude blonde slowly rotates against black backdrop as strobe light flashes) and some understandably sad-looking aborigines, we're then treated to a leisurely succession of unrelated vignettes ranging in interest from slight to none, roughly half of which involve naked people.

Unfortunately, Lamond's lens seems to have attracted some of the homeliest 'roo babes in Ozzie Land like moths to a flame, and some of them brought their butt-nekkid boyfriends with them. As the monotonous narrator drones relentlessly on, we watch them sunbathing in the nude, swimming in the nude, painting each other's nude bodies, and nuding it up during Satan-worshipping rituals and custom bikini fittings.

The low-budget cinematography and painful 70s fashions combine with the meandering narrative to create an effect that's strangely enervating. A promising drive through the King's Cross district (sort of like Times Square in its sleazy days) leads to a body-painting segment that resembles an old Alka-Seltzer ad. A visit to a gathering of sado-masochists ends just as someone's being racked up, then segues into a study of ancient aboriginal rock paintings, a tour of the gallows at Old Melbourne Gaol, and an upper-class restaurant that serves snakes and grubs. It's kind of like watching "History Channel After Dark."

More weirdly boring stuff includes a bunch of beer-guzzling losers in a field betting on a game in which they toss coins onto an outstretched blanket, followed by some waterless boat races held in an arid region (even during this non-sexual sequence, the camera lingers under a stairway and peeks up the skirts of passing girls like a dirty old man). Then, before we've had a chance to catch our breath, the film whisks us out to the airport to watch planes taxi around for awhile. It's exciting because this is how jet-setters travel to different places!

After tattling on the inordinate alcoholic intake (52 gallons per person annually) in Australia's Northern territories and showing us more sad aborigines boozing their troubles away, we go to the country's gay capitol, Perth, to witness (gasp) two guys getting married. This sequence proves once and for all that gay weddings are just as boring as straight ones, and we don't even get cake. A sexually-ambiguous stripper performs, then a woman talks about all the "saucer craft" that have landed in her field as we see a montage of familiar UFO photographs.

Things start to heat up a tad when a naked blonde is tied to an inverted cross and boffed by a guy in a fright mask (it's those pesky Satan-worshippers I mentioned before). A lengthy stretch near the end tries to regain our dwindling attention by focusing entirely on nude women engaged in various activities such as bathing in milk and mud (the latter being a spiritual return to the primordial slime or whatever) and having guys slurp food off their bodies. Dispensing with the subject of Australia altogether, the narrator then gives us a lecture on what a "fetish" is while a lingerie-clad woman poses.

In the penultimate segment, we meet transvestite oddball Count Cornelius, who is what you might call a "lifestyle comedian." The Count amuses himself by spouting proclamations ("Beautiful schoolgirls remind me of sexy nuns") and festooning his environment with placards containing "Laugh-In" style one-liners. Talk about After-Darksville! The film mercifully draws to a close at last with some relaxing shots of a nude Gina Allen snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef with some fish, as the narrator informs us that she's returning to--you guessed it--the primordial something or other.

After trying to find a way to enjoy this movie--the usually surefire "so bad it's good" deal wasn't working here--I finally realized that a trancelike surrender is required to endure it, much like the educational films they tried to bore us to death with in grade school (only with more full-frontal nudity). One of the nicer things about AUSTRALIA AFTER DARK is that the score seems to have been gleaned from the same music library used by the better porn filmmakers of the 70s.

The DVD from Intervision is "fully restored from a print discovered in the cellar of the Lower Wonga Drive-In" and is widescreen with Dolby Digital 2.0 sound. There's an audio commentary with director Lamond and "Not Quite Hollywood" director Mark Hartley, but my copy of the DVD seems to be missing the trailer reel mentioned on the box.

About as shocking and titillating as a pile of wet socks, AUSTRALIA AFTER DARK does boast a kind of tranquil monotony, and is, in the words of Douglas Adams, "mostly harmless." Finally making it to the end credits is a catharsis similar to walking out of the hospital after a long stay--you feel weak as a kitten but pleasantly relieved that it's over.

Buy it at Amazon.com

APOLLO 18 -- DVD review by porfle

2011-12-12T22:33:00.000-08:00

I love a good "found-footage" mockumentary if it's done right, as it was with THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT (the grandaddy of FFMs) or the recent ATROCIOUS. And as an avid fan of the USA space program during the 60s, I was sucked right into APOLLO 18 (2011) from the very start and stayed there till the classic "film running out of the projector" ending.

The film is supposedly edited together from several hours of classified NASA footage of a secret moon shot which took place after the official "final" moon mission, Apollo 17. Lt. Col. John Grey (Warren Christie) orbits the moon in the command capsule while Commander Nathan Walker (Lloyd Owen) and Captain Benjamin Anderson (Warren Christie) settle onto the lunar surface and start collecting moon rocks. But first, they have to set up and activate a mysterious device--whose ostensible purpose is to track Soviet missile activity--at the behest of the Department of Defense.

All of this is presented via extremely convincing simulations of the aged, sometimes ragged film footage we've all seen of early NASA missions (along with simulated 8mm home movies of the astronauts and their families), which match almost seamlessly with generous stock footage of the real thing. Close views of the moon suspended against a black void create an eerie, baleful mood early on and we begin to get a sense of the astronauts' total isolation. This is heightened when Nate and Ben sit on the moon's surface in their cramped lander, as alone and vulnerable as two people can be, or explore a realistically-rendered lunar landscape strewn with pitch black shadows.

Director Gonzalo López-Gallego, aided by a cast of actors who are very adept at acting natural and unscripted, recreates the sort of light banter and good-natured antics we used to see from real astronauts when they knew the whole world was watching them. Knowing that APOLLO 18 is a space horror film, however, and that the DOD doo-dad they've just set up must somehow bode ill, gives us a growing unease as little things begin to happen that alter the casual mood of the mission to one of severe apprehension. And since the world is unaware of this particular moon shot, these guys are really on their own when they begin to suspect that they've been set up.

López-Gallego uses many clever visual tricks to create a spooky mood or, in some cases, a genuine jump-scare. An astronaut takes photos in a dark crater until one flash suddenly reveals something terrifying; a seemingly random static shot of the moonscape or LEM interior seems harmless until we think we see movement in the periphery.

The setting is especially effective because when these guys hear a mysterious noise or spot something moving around, it isn't rats in the woodwork and it sure ain't the wind. As the unexplained and seemingly impossible events begin to escalate, so does the sense of claustrophobia and paranoia within the astronauts' fragile haven of life support.

I've tried to avoid giving anything away because not knowing is a major part of the fun with this movie. I will say that Nate and Ben make some gut-wrenching discoveries on the moon (some of them quite queasily horrific) which force them to question everything they believe about the space program in general and their own increasingly doomed mission in particular. Rarely does a story get to present a situation in which two guys are so utterly screwed, and I was with them all the way--vicariously, thank goodness--until the haunting final images.

The DVD from Anchor Bay, Dimension, and the Weinsteins is in 1.78:1 widescreen with Dolby 5.1 sound and subtitles in English and Spanish. Extras include a very informative director and editor commentary, deleted and alternate scenes, and four alternate endings. The film comes as a Blu-Ray/DVD/Digital combo--this review is for the DVD only.

As I understand, the majority of reviews for APOLLO 18 have not been favorable, with words such as "boring" and "suspense-free" popping up here and there. I found the film riveting from beginning to end--it reminds me of the kind of stuff Joseph Stefano used to write back when "The Outer Limits" was in its heyday, an uneasy mix of both "sense of wonder" and hopeless dread.

Buy it at Amazon.com:
DVD
Blu-Ray/DVD/Digital copy combo

"Shark Night" on BD and DVD January 3

2011-12-12T00:50:00.000-08:00

SINK YOUR TEETH INTO SOMETHING TERRIFYING

Take a bite out of the New Year with SHARK NIGHT on Blu-ray and DVD January 3rd

LOS ANGELES, CA (Dec. 7, 2011) – Your deepest fears are about to surface with this frightening tale of seven vactioners whose fun weekend at a lake house turns into a nightmare when they become victims of a series of hellish shark attacks. From David R. Ellis, the director of The Final Destination, SHARK NIGHT features a sexy ensemble cast who bring a whole new dimension of terror to the screen. Jam packed with exciting extras including “Shark Night Survival Guide” – everything you need to know to avoid becoming human chum – the Blu-ray and DVD comes up for air on January 3rd from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.

The moment Sara (Sara Paxton) and her friends arrive at her parent's Louisiana lake house, the party is in full gear. Everyone is having a blast until Malik (Sinqua Walls) loses his arm in what initially appears to be a tragic wake-boarding mishap. Determined to get him to the nearest hospital as quickly as possible, it isn't until they're far from shore that they realize the lake is teeming with hungry sharks, and a tiny speedboat isn't about to stop them from getting their next meal. As the feeding frenzy begins, Sara and her pals realize that their only hope for survival is to swim for their lives!

SHARK NIGHT features performances from Sara Paxton (Superhero Movie), Dustin Milligan (Slither), Chris Carmack (“The O.C.”), Katharine McPhee (“American Idol,” House Bunny), Chris Zylka (My Super Psycho Sweet 16, The Secret Circle), Alyssa Diaz (“As the World Turns”), Joel David Moore (Avatar) and Sinqua Walls (The Second Half).

SHARK NIGHT is available on Blu-ray and DVD on January 3rd. Incentive Film Entertainment and Sierra/Affinity’s SHARK NIGHT was theatrically-released by Relativity Media on September 2, 2011.

SHARK NIGHT DVD Features:
--Shark Attack! Kill Machine! – Use this feature to jump to your favorite kills quickly
--Ellis’ Island – A cast appreciation of what Shark Night director David Ellis brought to the film

SHARK NIGHT Blu-ray Disc Features:
All of the DVD features, plus…
--Shark Night’s Survival Guide – Everything you need to know about the sharks in the movie to avoid becoming human chum!
--Fake Sharks Real Scares – This behind the scenes featurette focuses on the use of both animatronic and CGI sharks in Shark Night
--Digital Copy

"CAPTAIN POWER AND THE SOLDIERS OF THE FUTURE" and "SKELETON WARRIORS" Now On DVD

2011-12-10T23:23:00.000-08:00

GARY GODDARD ENTERTAINMENT TEAMS UP WITH VIDEO SERVICES CORP. TO ANNOUNCE TWO HIGHLY ANTICIPATED DVD PACKAGES:

"CAPTAIN POWER AND THE SOLDIERS OF THE FUTURE" AND "SKELETON WARRIORS"

From The Original Master Tapes, Complete, With Special Features! Finally On DVD After 20 Years!
The 4-Disc Captain Power - And The 2-Disc Skeleton Warriors Release Date: December 6, 2011!

December 6, 2011: Gary Goddard Entertainment and distributor Video Services Corp. (VSC) release two complete DVD editions for both of these classic shows. Loaded with hefty special features and behind the scenes documentaries, these DVD sets are bringing back all the sci-fi action and adventure that made these shows so memorable!

Captain Power And The Soldiers Of The Future was the first TV series to integrate live action, CGI, and interactive effects back in 1987-88. A groundbreaking achievement at a cost of nearly one million dollars per episode, the show paved the way for innovations in technology now used everywhere.

The show was intended to appeal to an adult audience just as much as for children, but it still sparked controversy for its mature storylines and sophisticated writing. The series takes a look at a future where mechanized warfare and technology results in the subjugation of organic life by artificially intelligent machines. In a bold move, the show's creative team even allowed for the death of one of its main heroes, which alarmed parents' groups in the 1980s and led to the show's cancellation after only one season.

The show's creator, Gary Goddard, originally pitched Captain Power to toy company Mattel to see if they would be interested in making toys based on the show. At the time, Mattel was looking to develop interactive technology for toys and action figures, so when Goddard presented them with the high tech futuristic concept for Captain Power, the toy company realized it would be the perfect fit.

Beyond all the tech-stuff, Captain Power was a fully realized human drama that dealt with a broad range of complex human relationships. If only for the writing alone, the show was unlike anything else for kids and adults on television before, or since.

Set in the year 2147, the show follows the struggle of an elite group of humans lead by Jonathan Power, armored in specialized bio-suits, they are mankind's last defense against the onslaught of the mechanized Bio-Dread warriors and the evil Lord Dread!

DVD producer and special features director Roger Lay Jr. (Ray Bradbury's Chrysalis, Toy Masters), scoured the countryside to track down the original tape masters in vaults from Canada to California to New Jersey! All 22 Episodes from the first and only season of Captain Power, will be presented in stunning visual clarity with the 4-DVD set. The set will also include a brand-new feature length documentary, Out Of The Ashes: The Making Of Captain Power that gives fans an inside look at the series.

The Captain Power And The Soldiers Of The Future 4-DVD set will include:
· Out Of The Ashes: The Making Of Captain Power
· Cast and Crew Commentary featuring creator Gary Goddard and stars Tim Dunigan & Jessica Steen.
· Captain Power Season 2: Declassified - a featurette about the show's unproduced second season.
· Captain Power: The Legend Begins - a feature-length TV movie, never before aired in the US!
· Character concept art.
· And more!

The Captain Power 4-DVD set, running approx. 500 minutes, will be priced at $44.98, and will be available December 6, 2011 - making it the perfect gift for sci-fi fans and nostalgia buffs!

AND - Gary Goddard and Roger Lay Jr. are also currently working on plans for a new version of Captain Power in the near future… so stay tuned!

Also to be released on December 6, the complete episodes 2-DVD set of another Gary Goddard creation, the animated series: Skeleton Warriors!

The animated cartoon, which ran for 13 episodes as part of CBS' Saturday morning line up, follows the struggle of Prince Lightstar and The Legion of Light, defenders of the planet Luminaire from the ghastly Baron Dark and his evil Skeleton Warriors!

The Skeleton Warriors 2-DVD set, running 286 minutes, will be priced at just $19.98. In addition to the show itself, DVD Producer Roger Lay Jr. has also included:
· Bad to the Bone: The Making of Skeleton Warriors - a 45 minute documentary on the origins and development of the show.
· Audio Commentary on Select Episodes with creator Gary Goddard and co-producer Robert DeLapp.
· Promos.
· Galleries of Concept Art. - AND MORE!

Relive the experience of Captain Power and Skeleton Warriors in stunning clarity, and rediscover the nuanced performances and detailed writing that set the tone for quality Sci-Fi television then, now, and for years still to come!

For more information follow us on the Captain Power And The Soldiers Of The Future Facebook Fan Page
And on the Skeleton Warriors Face book fan page

About Gary Goddard
Gary Goddard began his professional career as a stage director for the West Coast tour of Godspell when he was 19 years old. He went on to co-create and direct the "Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue" for Walt Disney World when he was 21, a musical dinner show experience that has become the longest running and most-performed musical show in history. Goddard went on to design theme park and resort attractions for Disney and Universal Studios including: THE CONAN SWORD & SORCERY SPECTACULAR and KONG ON THE LOOSE. He also created TERMINATOR 2/3D, JURASSIC PARK: THE RIDE, and THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF SPIDER-MAN.

As a film director, Goddard directed the live action motion picture Masters of the Universe for Warner Brothers and Cannon Films, wrote Tarzan the Ape Man for MGM Studios, created and produced the groundbreaking live action television series Captain Power for MTS Television and Mattel Toys, created and produced The Skeleton Warriors animated television series for CBS, and developed and produced Mega Babies for Fox Kids Television.

Working through his company GODDARD GROUP, Gary Goddard is creating a new generation of resorts, attractions and entertainment experiences that continue to define immersive entertainment for audiences around the world.

About Roger Lay Jr. (writer, producer, director)
Roger Lay Jr. studied film and television production at the University of Southern California's School of Cinema-Television, and The Los Angeles Film School. He began his career working for the production staff on the hit television series Everybody Loves Raymond" Producing credits include: HBO/ThinkFilm's 95 Miles To Go starring Ray Romano, as well an the recently released Sci-Fi Feature Chrysalis, based on the short story by internationally acclaimed author Ray Bradbury, which won the Best Feature Award at the International Horror and Science Fiction Film Festival. He has also served as a segment producer for the annual Los Angeles Holiday Celebration on PBS, and has produced and directed multiple music videos and promotional spots for such clients as SONY/BMG, Universal Music Latin, and Warner Music Latin.

About Video Services Corp.
Founded in 1993 by former rock critic Jonathan Gross, Video Services Corp. is a leading independent DVD distributor with offices in Toronto and Los Angeles. With a vast catalogue strong in television, sports and comedy, some of VSC's releases include Big Fan starring Patton Oswalt, Academy Award®-nominated director Alex Gibney's Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer, Holy Rollers starring Jesse Eisenberg and Canada's #1 comedy, Corner Gas. VSC is restoring the Canadian classic Face Off for its 40th anniversary in 2011. VSC also owns the e-commerce websites sportonvideo.com, laffstock.com and jewishflicks.com.

Buy it at Amazon.com:
Captain Power DVD
Skeleton Warriors DVD

LITTLE DEATHS -- DVD review by porfle

2011-12-09T23:56:00.000-08:00

In the tradition of the great (and near-great) anthology horror films of yore, LITTLE DEATHS (2010) offers three tales of the strange, the weird, and the fantastic. Unlike most of those other ones, however, the emphasis here is on sexual perversions and other adult themes. So, no graveyards, zombies, or cackling crypt-keepers.

A collaboration between English writer-directors Sean Hogan, Andrew Parkinson, and Simon Rumley, it's a far cry from the EC comics-inspired stuff meant to stoke popcorn-munchin' Monster Kid nostalgia (think Amicus' TALES FROM THE CRYPT, the Romero-King classic CREEPSHOW, and, going way back, DEAD OF NIGHT).

These thoughfully-rendered slices of death are more like dark indy short films, meant to leave the viewer in a state of vaguely disturbed contemplation similar to the feeling you have right after waking up from a nightmare. They're also highly adult-oriented, focusing on twisted male-female relationships with heavy doses of sexual perversion, nudity, rape, and other unsavory stuff.

The trilogy begins with my favorite, Sean Hogan's "House and Home." When wealthy, successful sexual deviates Richard and Victoria (Luke de Lacey, Siubhan Harrison) invite a homeless woman named Sorrow (Holly Lucas) to a bath and a meal, their sense of entitlement includes the right to subject the unfortunate waif to all sorts of ulterior motive-type stuff in order to satisfy their evil desires.

It's all great fun for the predatory couple until they get the tables turned on them big time, which is when the film erupts briefly into a bloody, flesh-eating orgy of horror. Here, LITTLE DEATHS comes closest to old-school scary monster territory and the makeup effects are pretty cool. It's also the last time the film's violence will be this graphic. And just when a longer story would be shifting into the next gear, this one ends, leaving our fevered brains to supply our own mental images of what will happen next. While this will undoubtedly disappoint many viewers, it's still pretty effective.

"Mutant Tool" is Andrew Parkinson’s way-strange contribution, in which a heartless research scientist named Dr. Reece (Brendan Gregory) experiments on a strange captive--a mutant with an extremely large, well, mutant tool. This grossly elongated willie secretes a substance used to create a dangerous new drug that ends up being tested on one of Reece's unsuspecting patients, Jen (Jodie Jameson), a drug-addicted call girl trying to clean up her act. Among other side effects, she suddenly develops a psychic link with the mutant which gives her visions related to whomever she touches. In this way, she discovers a horrific link between Dr. Reece and her pimp-boyfriend Frank (Daniel Brocklebank).

Well, kiddies, this is some pretty weird and (to use the word yet again) "dark" stuff, made all the more so by being played as straight drama. Jodie Jameson is very good as Jen and earns our sympathy as the poor girl's life turns into a shock-horror/sci-fi nightmare. Those with a taste for the bizarre will probably respond favorably to the whole mutant angle, although our final peek at the gargantuan Mr. Happy may, under the circumstances, provoke a few titters. Still, a rather unsettling effort overall.

Lastly, Simon Rumley's "Bitch" is the least scary but most graphically sex-oriented segment. Milquetoast bartender Pete (Tom Sawyer) is mired in a humiliating sado-masochistic relationship with Claire (Kate Braithwaite), who counteracts her paralyzing fear of dogs by treating Pete like one. And I don't mean that figuratively--think leash, doghouse, the whole nine yards. As Claire's abusive behavior begins to include boffing Pete's best friend Al right in front of him, the fed-up Pete hatches a sinister revenge scheme which will include--you guessed it--dogs.

"Bitch" is the longest segment and tends to meander a bit on its way to a not all that satisfying conclusion. Pete's revenge is telegraphed so early that we pretty much know how it's going to end up, and sure enough, we're right--but by then, our imaginations have written a scene that the film can't match. In fact, it doesn't even try to, setting up the horrific situation and then leaving us to conjure our own mental images once again. But while the violence is implicit, the sexual content in "Bitch" is the most explicit yet, with a nude "bad-dog" Pete lifting his leg and whizzing in Claire's underwear drawer and Claire punishing him by donning a strap-on and going doggy-style on him.

All three segments share certain behind-the-camera personnel to link them stylistically, including cinematographer Milton Kam, who gives everything a muted, autumnal look that's suitably atmospheric. Performances range from good to fine, with familiar character actor Christopher Fairbank (FIFTH ELEMENT, ALIEN 3, BATMAN) making a welcome appearance in "Mutant Tool" as part of Dr. Reece's team. The moody musical score is another asset.

The DVD from Image Entertainment is in 1.85:1 widescreen with Dolby 5.1 surround sound and subtitles in English and Spanish. Extras consist of interviews with the directors and a trailer.

"House and Home" is the best all-out horror yarn, "Mutant Tool" goes for weirdness in a big way, and "Bitch" follows scenes of graphic perversion with a diabolical but somewhat by-the-numbers revenge. While the first story overwhelms the other two, LITTLE DEATHS as a whole is pleasantly unsettling and worth watching for horror fans on the lookout for something different.

Buy it at Amazon.com

"Our Rescue Dog Family Album" -- New Book from Polaire Entertainment Group, Inc.

2011-12-09T20:22:00.000-08:00

Rescuing An Abused Or Neglected Dog Comes With A Reward - A Lifetime Of Unconditional Love

Dallas, TX, December 2, 2011 - Diane Pomerance will be the first to tell you that she and her husband didn’t set out to save or rescue dogs but the dogs ‘found’ them. In her latest book, Our Rescue Dog Family Album (Polaire Entertainment Group, Inc.), the love she has for these neglected, injured or abandoned animals is conveyed through every heartwarming story of 45 rescued dogs that were given the chance to replace pain and despair with joy, hope and contentment.

The author of seven books about all aspects of living with and caring for animals and for sharing life with a special pet, Dr. Pomerance's most recent book Our Rescue Dog Family Album is a memorable tribute and collection of heartwarming stories and beautiful color photographs of the lives of 45 dogs they had rescued and adopted over the past several decades.

In addition to this wonderful compilation of stories, Dr. Pomerance previously wrote six books in The Animal Companion Series that cover the gamut for every imaginable scenario for pet owners; from adopting the right animal companion and caring for aging animals, to helping cope with the loss of a beloved pet. She is also the narrator of her books on audio CD’s and a description of all of her books and CDs can be viewed. They can be purchased on her website at www.animalcompanionsandtheirpeople.com, amazon.com, etc.

These books are a must read for animal lovers and anyone who owns or is contemplating getting one. They belong in any pet lover’s library and have great appeal to readers of all ages. In fact, these books make a wonderful Holiday gift for any animal lovers in your life. They illustrate how pets interact in every part of our daily lives and how they are not only our best friends, but they provide us with limitless emotional and spiritual benefits. In fact, the calming and soothing effect they have on people is just one reason they are used in nursing homes, in children’s hospitals, helping with autistic children – and even in prisons.

Where else but from our pets can we get such unconditional love and loyalty? They let us just be ourselves without pretense or affectation and don’t even care if we have brushed our teeth or if we’re clean or dirty – they love us just because we’re us!

Dr. Pomerance and her books have been featured on CNN Headline News, Fox News, Lifetime TV, Montel Williams and The Daily Buzz, as well as in countless radio interviews and numerous newspaper and magazine articles. Diane Pomerance has a Ph.D. in Communications and is a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist who counsels those grieving from any loss, but particularly those mourning the loss of a beloved pet.

This benevolent husband and wife team admit there is often a great deal of pain, hard work and sadness involved with these animals, nonetheless, they feel it’s always a privilege to be a part of their journey by providing the necessary love and care to give these wonderful dogs a chance at a new life.

In Our Rescue Dog Family Album, the Pomerances’ pay homage to the many dogs who have shared their lives over the past decade; some who have stayed to become cherished members of their own ever-expanding family, as well as those who have moved on to find new families. They believe the gifts these dogs brought them are beyond measure and the life lessons they have taught are invaluable. The gratitude, innate wisdom and unconditional love from these animals brings profound joy to every life they touch.

Seattlepi books: “If ever a book was appropriately named, Our Rescue Dog Family Album is the book. Details of over forty dogs that were rescued … are shared, along with scores of pictures of these lucky canines. What Pomerance - and anyone who has ever rescued a dog — knows is that once you rescue an animal, you have a devoted friend, ‘til death do you part. (Her) …books for dog owners and prospective owners, covering topics that include the death of a pet, adopting the right companion, older animals, and the roles companion animals play in the lives of the humans with whom they live.
People who read (it)…will be charmed by the histories of these dogs that no one wanted…from puppy mills (boo! hiss!), others were abused and abandoned, and still others share unknown backgrounds… (she) draws the reader in with her obvious respect for her furry family. Filled with irresistible photos and enchanting stories of improved lives… (It) makes a lovely gift for any dog lover or wannabe-dog-owner, and should be found in the waiting rooms of veterinarians across the world. Maybe it will inspire others to adopt a shelter dog…or two…or three…”

DogTipper.com: “Our family has included a number of rescue dogs over the years…all but one came to us from shelters or by being dumped near our country home. We …were immediately impressed by Dr. Pomerance’s Our Rescue Dog Family Album…being a nationally-recognized pet expert who works with several organizations including the SPCA of Texas, K-9 Friends Visiting Therapy Dogs of GTDOG, and Alaskan Malamute Assistance League. (It)… documents some of the many dogs who have been adopted into her loving home…is an entertaining book, enhanced with color photos of her pets and details of…day-by-day efforts to save as many distressed dogs as possible. Their gradual introduction and integration into the lives of abandoned and mistreated pets is an inspiring journey. The Pomerances’ inspiring story is a quick read but will long linger in the hearts of all dog lovers.”

CATCH .44 -- DVD review by porfle

2011-12-08T22:27:00.000-08:00

Ever since PULP FICTION came out, various talky, quirky crime flicks have been described as Tarantino rip-offs. Or, more generously put, "Tarantino-esque." Despite all the bad things I've heard about it, I feel generous toward the talky, quirky--and fairly entertaining--crime flick CATCH .44 (2011) so I'll use the latter term. Besides, people were making movies sorta like this before QT came along, but there just wasn't as convenient a way of describing them.

Not surprisingly, the movie takes the timeline of its not-all-that-complicated story and reshuffles it all over the place just for fun. Most of the action occurs in an out-of-the-way Louisiana diner at 3:00 a.m., where three girls--Tes (Malik Akerman, WATCHMEN), Dawn (Deborah Ann Woll), and Kara (Nikki Reed, CHAIN LETTER, TWILIGHT)--are on an assignment for local drug kingpin Mel (Bruce Willis) and waiting for something to happen. When it does, people start getting blown away, including one of the girls.

We'll keep returning to the diner, with intermittent flashbacks bringing us up to speed a little at a time (a la RESERVOIR DOGS), until everything and everyone comes together at the end. Meanwhile, we rewind to the dead girl and her two cohorts getting stopped by this really weird highway cop. Only he isn't really a cop, because we just saw him shoot the real cop in the head during a routine pull-over. Ronny (Forest Whitaker in another interesting performance) is a scary and enigmatic guy whose intentions are as yet unknown, but we're pretty sure he's going to end up at that diner, too.

Writer-director Aaron Harvey manages to keep things zipping along even when he's imitating Tarantino's chatty dialogue style with long, talky scenes that have their own modest rewards while never quite bagging the elusive Royale With Cheese. A three-way Mexican standoff inside the diner (also a la RESERVOIR DOGS) after the initial shootout is nicely handled, prolonging the tension with various revelations and teasing us as to what certain characters' motivations are. Whitaker is especially good here, with Shea Whigham doing a nice turn as a twitchy fry cook with a pump shotgun. (Lovable oddball Brad Dourif also shows up for a couple of scenes as, of all things, a cop.)

Harvey's directorial style is a pleasing amalgam of lesser you-know-who mixed with a little Robert Rodriguez, making CATCH .44 easy to look at. It amazed me to discover that Harvey's only other directing credit is the absolutely wretched 2007 slasher flick THE EVIL WOODS, which is without question one of the worst pieces of dreck ever made. The difference between the two films is stunning--if nothing else, Harvey deserves some kind of an award for "most improved filmmaker."

Lurking in the background, getting talked about a lot, and popping into view for a few key scenes is Bruce Willis' "Mel" character. The PULP FICTION co-star lends his formidable presence to the film without really breaking a sweat, but by now just being Bruce Willis is enough to elevate a small film such as this to another level. We see him being a rich, cool drug lord manipulating his unsuspecting employees (such as Tes, Dawn, and Kara) like pawns, and finally emerging for a long, talky final scene with Whitaker that manages a faint hint of the Bill and Beatrix exchange at the end of KILL BILL VOL. 2. Barely a whiff of that Royale With Cheese, though.

The DVD from Anchor Bay is in 2.40:1 anamorphic widescreen with Dolby 5.1 sound. Subtitles are in English and Spanish. A long, talky commentary track with Harvey and editor Richard Byard is the sole extra.

CATCH .44 doles out tantalizing scraps of story to us until the pieces fall into place, and once that's done, the final scene plays out in a way that resolves all the pent-up suspense in rather predictable ways. There's no ironic twist or "gotcha" to fully justify so much story fiddling, and we realize that it was all done just to tell a very simple tale in a more interesting way. Which is okay, since it does.

Buy it at Amazon.com:
DVD
Blu-Ray

SLEDGE HAMMER!: THE COMPLETE SERIES -- DVD review by porfle

2011-12-07T22:18:00.000-08:00

Having just watched the 5-DVD set SLEDGE HAMMER!: THE COMPLETE SERIES, I find that, once again, I dislike something at first and then end up liking it after further consideration. This proves either one of two things: (a) I'm wishy-washy, or (b) you can't always go by first impressions. I'm going to go with the second alternative, since it's less uncomplimentary toward me.

I have a vague memory of seeing an episode of this show during its first run (1986-88) and dismissing it as a crappy "Police Squad!" wannabe. That criminally brief 1982 series (six big episodes and out) by the Zucker brothers, which introduced Leslie Nielsen's celebrated "Frank Drebin" character and inspired the NAKED GUN movie trilogy, continued the same outlandishly farcical yet totally deadpan vibe of the Zuckers' AIRPLANE! on a smaller scale.

Naturally, I was disappointed when I approached "Sledge Hammer!" expecting it to be more of the same. What I finally realized after watching several episodes, however, is that this show is its own addlebrained entity--it's still a lightheaded farce that often resembles something out of MAD Magazine and celebrates silliness for its own sake, but the deadpan humor is shot through (pun alert!) with heaps of pure, giddy goofiness. In fact, "Sledge Hammer!" works both when it's aping the bone-dry "Police Squad!" comedy style and when it's making funny faces at us.

It takes awhile to get its groove on, though. The first episode is a bit of a mess--production values are murky, the direction and editing are flabby, and, worst of all, there's a laugh track pointing out the funny parts to us. Still, it has John Vernon (ANIMAL HOUSE) as the mayor, who demands that Sledge be let loose on the case when his daughter is kidnapped by terrorists.

There are some funny bits and Hammer's character, who is a cross between Dirty Harry and his watered-down TV equivalent "Hunter" (also a likable fascist cop with a female partner), is well established when he uses a bazooka to demolish an entire building in order to stop a sniper ("Trust me, I know what I'm doing" is his oft-heard motto). Overall, though, it's pretty limp.

We get to watch the show get its bearings and start firing on more cylinders as the season progresses, with the scripts getting funnier and more daring, and the direction improving (Bill Bixby eventually helmed eight of the series' best episodes, with Dick Martin of "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In" contributing a couple of good ones). Despite its lesser moments, there's a relentless quality to the hot-and-cold-running gags and a sort of earnestness from the stars that makes the first season somehow likable. And some of the gags actually score big laughs, as when Hammer and an informant (guest star Dennis Fimple) conduct a secret conversation via adjoining pay phones.

Before long, the chemistry between Hammer and his female partner Det. Dori Doreau starts to click. RUNAWAY's Anne-Marie Martin (who, incidentally, co-wrote TWISTER with Michael Crichton) is an appealing foil for Hammer even though her comedic skills take awhile to develop, and their relationship has a certain charm--Doreau sees the good behind Hammer's fascist, violence-loving, ultra-right-wing exterior and eventually finds herself falling for him even though Hammer's first love is his gun, which he talks to and sleeps with.

As Hammer, David Rasche (BURN AFTER READING, UNITED 93) has a firm grasp on the character from the start but also gets better as he goes along. Rasche has a field day in the role, with his trigger-happy detective shooting first and asking questions later while gleefully roughing up everyone from jaywalkers to the mayor's wife. He reels off one-liners like nobody's business--when a nagging reporter asks if he has any predictions, Hammer's deadpan response is, "Yes...scientists will perform the first brain transplant, and you'll be the recipient." We eventually learn that Hammer thinks the death penalty is too lenient, his favorite song is "Taps", and the only thing he fears is world peace.

As season one comes to a close, just about the time Patrick Wayne does a delightful guest shot as Hammer's long-lost brother, the show really starts getting serious about being funny. The season-one cliffhanger is insane, opening with a introduction by Robin Leach in which he announces that the series is making a bid for renewal by packing more sex and violence into the upcoming episode and ending with Hammer frantically trying to disarm a nuclear warhead that could annihilate the entire city. Cult star Mary Woronov plays the mad villainess in this one, which actually does end with a nuclear explosion.

How they resolve this open-ended situation at the start of season two is undoubtedly one of network television's nuttiest moments, with the show even changing its name temporarily as part of the joke! And this is just the beginning of a series of episodes that get progressively more willing to be weird, while cast and crew all seem to be on the same page at last and making funny things happen. Movie spoofs dominate, with films such as SHAMPOO, JAGGED EDGE, and VERTIGO getting the treatment (with the occasional misfire such as a weak parody of PLAY IT AGAIN, SAM).

"Hammeroid" finds Hammer seriously wounded by a juggernaut robot (which is reminiscent of a similar character on the cult series "The Avengers") and turned into a cyborg a la ROBOCOP. Fans of that movie should love this affectionate spoof, while Bela Lugosi fans are in for a treat with "Last of the Red Hot Vampires", in which "Love Boat" alumnus Bernie Kopel does a surprisingly good Lugosi imitation. (The episode is "dedicated to Mr. Blasko", the actor's real last name.)

In "Jagged Sledge", Rasche gives a tour-de-force performance when Hammer must defend himself while on trial for the murder of a mob boss (the great Tige Andrews of "Mod Squad" fame). Another episode, which finds Hammer going undercover as a prison convict involved in a breakout attempt, actually beats NAKED GUN 33 1/3 (1994) to the punch with a strangely similar premise.

Harrison Page (CARNOSAUR) is undoubtedly the funniest supporting actor in the role of Captain Trunk, a dead-on spoof of the perpetually screaming squad captain whose blood pressure is always sky-high thanks to Hammer's destructive hijinks. Avoiding what could've been a one-note performance, Page is one of the best things about the show and is a constant delight. In addition to those already mentioned, a sterling roster of guest stars includes Ronnie Schell, Bill Dana, Nicholas Guest, Ray Walston, David Clennon, Armin Shimerman, Richard Moll, Adam Ant, Brion James, Bud Cort, Mark Blankfield, and Russ Meyer regular Edy Williams. Directors Bixby and Martin pop up in cameos.

The 5-disc DVD (22 episodes) from Image Entertainment is in 1.33:1 widescreen with Dolby Digital mono. No subtitles or extras.

It's interesting watching a show go from blah to good as we see with SLEDGE HAMMER!: THE COMPLETE SERIES. It may not be perfect but it's just plain fun, and by the time the last few episodes rolled around, I didn't want it to stop being Hammer Time.

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THE WOODS -- movie review by porfle

2011-12-05T21:51:00.000-08:00

Heather (Agnes Bruckner) is a troubled girl who doesn't get along with her mom. One day she decides to express her pent-up feelings by setting fire to the woods next to her house, almost burning it down. Now her bitchy, self-centered mom (Emma Campbell) and her sympathetic dad (the redoubtable Bruce Campbell) are taking her to an exclusive and very secluded girls' boarding school in the middle of a dense, dark forest. Here, in this strict and highly regimented atmosphere deep in THE WOODS (2006), it is hoped that Heather will learn to be a proper young lady who doesn't set things on fire.

Things begin to look creepy right away; the school is a large, foreboding building that is hundreds of years old and has vines growing through all the windows and across the walls, all the teachers are spinsterish former students who are weird, and the headmistress, Ms. Traverse (Patricia Clarkson), is a strange woman who always looks like there's something dark and ominous on her mind. She gives Heather a peculiar aptitude test, ostensibly to determine whether or not she qualifies for a scholarship. But, as it turns out later, this test is for a far different purpose altogether.

Heather makes friends with a timid girl named Marcy (Lauren Birkell) and enemies with the school bitch, Samantha (Rachel Nichols), while doing her best to alienate her teachers enough to get sent home. Meanwhile, she begins to have frightening nightmares about wandering through the dark woods and encountering ghostly figures that come after her. She also notices that a particular bed in the corner, about four bunks down from hers, is always empty. It belongs to Ann, a girl who supposedly tried to kill herself a few weeks earlier. When Ann finally returns, her wrists wrapped in gauze, she appears haunted and deeply disturbed. Heather awakens that night to see a thick tangle of vines creeping over the floor toward Ann's bed, covered by a blanket of mist. Was this a dream? In any case, the next morning Ann's bed is empty once again, save for a pile of leaves shaped like a human body. Woo-OOO-ooo...!

And things are just getting started. THE WOODS is an engaging and very well-rendered spook tale that has a few elements in common with SUSPIRIA, and although it isn't quite as scary or as beautiful as Dario Argento's masterpiece, it's still directed with great care and skill by Lucky McKee (MAY) and exquisitely photographed and edited. It also reminds me of some of those atmospheric Canadian horror flicks I used to watch on cable and VHS back in the early 80s. And the fact that it's a period piece, taking place in 1965 and featuring some cool Leslie Gore songs including the classic "You Don't Own Me", gives it added ambience.

It doesn't rely on blood and gore for its scares, but doesn't shy away from it, either--there are some pretty splattery scenes here and there, especially when certain characters start to wield a big, red axe that figures prominently throughout. And when the woods attack and it's time to crank up the old CGI, it actually looks fairly convincing for a change.

The mystery behind the school deepens as Heather discovers more about its history--mainly the story of three strange girls who emerged from the woods one day about a hundred years earlier and were taken in. They later turned out to be witches, and began to exert their evil influence in bad ways. The headmistress at the time tried to stop them, and the main witch introduced her to the big, red axe. Now, Heather realizes that the school is still in the witch business and is recruiting girls who excell in Ms. Traverse's "aptitude test", and who can hear the voices in the woods calling to them as Heather does.

In fact, as it turns out, "the force" is particularly strong with Heather and Ms. Traverse has something especially bad planned for her. And as bad turns to worse, Heather is eventually told that it's her turn to sleep in the empty bed in the corner. Woo-OOO-ooo...! (Okay, I'll stop doing that now.)

Agnes Bruckner is an appealing young actress and does a fine job as Heather, and the rest of the cast, both young and old, are outstanding as well. As Ms. Traverse, Patricia Clarkson is just as good at playing restrained, understated creepiness as she was as Margaret White in the excellent TV remake of CARRIE. And Bruce Campbell...well, he's Bruce Campbell. He's great as good ol' Dad, eventually racing to his daughter's rescue as she's trapped in the horrific culmination of the witches' evil machinations. He even gets to wield the big, red axe! But watch out, Bruce...as Scotty tried to tell you way back in THE EVIL DEAD: "But the trees, Ash. They know. Don't you see, Ash? They're alive!"

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"TRACK 29" starring Gary Oldman and Theresa Russell coming to DVD February 21st from Image Entertainment

2011-12-03T20:40:00.000-08:00

“This performance by Oldman is another strong example of acting to put beside his work in Sid and Nancy and Prick Up Your Ears.” -Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

“Russell and Oldman are consummate thesps able to reach the edge of frenzy (and beyond) while remaining fun and original.” -Variety

On February 21st, Image Entertainment will release the Handmade Films cult favorite Track 29, starring award-winning actor Gary Oldman (Sid and Nancy, The Dark Knight, the upcoming Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy). Executive produced by George Harrison and written by Dennis Potter (Gorky Park, Pennies from Heaven, The Singing Detective), Track 29 will be available on DVD for the first time in the U.S. for an MSRP of $14.98. Pre-book is January 24th.

Linda Henry (Theresa Russell, Wild Things, “Fringe”) is tormented by her disappointments and dreams. Unhappy with her barren marriage to surgeon Henry Henry (Christopher Lloyd, “Taxi,” the Back to the Future trilogy), she craves something to awaken her lonely existence. She becomes captivated with Martin (Oldman), a hitchhiker who suddenly drops in on Linda claiming to be the child she gave up for adoption after a teenage pregnancy. They spend time together trying to forge a bond, but bizarre events and behaviors make Linda wonder about this oddity who has shown up at her doorstep.

Clever and audacious, Track 29 is an eccentric ride through truth and illusion.   Is Martin real, or a figment of Linda’s imagination? Is he the son she gave up for adoption or a reflection of the desires she gave up so long ago?

Track 29 DVD
Genre:             Drama, Mystery/Suspense, 80s, Thriller
Rating:            R
Languages:      English
Format:            Anamorphic Widescreen (1.78:1)
Audio:             Dolby Digital 2.0
Subtitles:         English
Year:               1988
SRP :                $14.98
Street Date:     February 21, 2012
Pre-Book:        January 24, 2012
Length:            90 minutes
UPC :               014381658521
Cat#:               ID6585HHDVD

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IN THE NAME OF THE KING 2: TWO WORLDS

2011-12-02T00:39:00.000-08:00

Confession time again: this is my first Uwe Boll movie. Of course, I've heard a lot about the widely-reviled director on IMDb and other film-related forums, and have been curious to see a sample of his work that's supposed to be so inept. So now that I've watched IN THE NAME OF THE KING 2: TWO WORLDS (2011), I have to say--yeah, it's pretty bad. But this sword-and-sorcery yarn is bearable as a mildly entertaining direct-to-DVD time waster if you watch it with absolutely no expectations whatsoever.

I'm still not exactly sure what it's about, but a 21st-century Dolph Lundgren (as ex-soldier "Granger") gets yanked through a time vortex into the Medieval era and is tasked by a young king (Lochlyn Munro) to kill an evil, plague-spreading sorceress known as "The Holy Mother" because, somehow, he is "The Chosen One." And destiny, and fate, and yadda-yadda-yadda.

Dubious Dolph sets off through the (Canadian) forest medieval with a pretty female doctor named Manhatten (Natassia Malthe) and the even more dubious king's guardsman Allard (Aleks Paunovic), who thinks Dolph's fulla beans, and discovers along the way that all is not what it seems and his fate-decreed task has taken a twisted turn.

The opening sequence is the most accomplished part of the film, with a sorceress from the past named Elianna (Natalia Guslistaya) being pursued through the woods by black-garbed assassins before turning on her heel and making short work of them with knives, an old-school grenade, and some slightly anachronistic kung fu moves. At the end of this nicely-done vignette she bursts out of the forest whereupon the camera pans around to find her running toward the skyline of modern-day Vancouver. The sequence is well-directed and looks good, and viewers should savor it while they can because it's pretty much the last time that those terms will apply.

The rest of IN THE NAME OF THE KING 2: TWO WORLDS is done in the same markedly uninspired "point 'n' shoot" style my Dad used to use making 8mm home movies of us when we were kids, with a constant jiggling motion that makes even the quieter dialogue scenes more annoying. You know an action scene is underway because the camera bobbles and whips around even worse, although the action is so blandly directed that this is probably for the best.

The low-budget sets--a modest walled-in fortress, an encampment or two--are adequate, while a lack of extras makes the film look underpopulated. Dolph's quest to find something called "The Catalyst" leads him face-to-face with a winged, fire-breathing CGI dragon which is pretty well-rendered, in a better-than-usual SyFy Channel sort of way. This belligerent beastie's fiery attack on the king's fortress is one of the better sequences in the film, livening things up after a number of rather dull stretches in which the plot and dialogue are less than scintillating.

The screenplay fails to exploit the "Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court" possibilities inherent in the situation, although we do get a number of mild verbal gags (Dolph puzzles his medieval hosts by saying things such as "You mean I'm going in there with zero intel?" and using words like "screwed"). Aside from basic fighting prowess, his character doesn't do anything particularly modern in battling the bad guys or use any advanced ingenuity to solve problems. He doesn't even have a boomstick!

Familiar actor Lochlyn Munro (UNFORGIVEN, SCARY MOVIE) is kind of fun to watch as the callow King--whose motives we're never sure of at first--as is Natassia Malthe as Manhatten, who naturally falls for our beefy hero. Aleks Paunovic as brave Allard and Heather Doerksen as Dunyana, a noble, strong-willed woman Dolph encounters along the way, acquit themselves well. Probably the best performance is given by Christina Jastrzemska (as "The Holy Mother"), an older actress with enough skill and experience to make her dumb dialogue sound like it almost makes sense.

As for Dolph, he's a solid performer in the right kind of role and I always enjoy watching him. But after an early scene in which he wistfully toasts his fallen battlefield comrades on the anniversary of their death, he spends the rest of the film looking like he's one step away from hitting the craft services table or hopping into the nearest jacuzzi.

The DVD from 20th-Century Fox Home Entertainment is widescreen with Dolby 5.1 sound and subtitles in English and Spanish. Extras include director and writer commentaries plus two featurettes on the making of and writing of the film. Special mention goes to composer Jessica de Rooij, whose bombastic, almost Albert Glasser-like score makes the film seem more exciting than it is.

IN THE NAME OF THE KING 2: TWO WORLDS returns to the present day for its finale, but by then it's too late to make us care very much about what happens. While okay for frittering away an hour-an-a-half in an offhand way, you'd be better off getting your "modern guy in medieval times" jollies by digging out an old copy of ARMY OF DARKNESS.

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CHILLERAMA -- DVD review by porfle

2011-12-01T00:34:00.000-08:00

When a group of monster-fan filmmakers get together and make an anthology flick that they say is inspired by their love of such things as Forry Ackerman's "Famous Monsters of Filmland" magazine and movies like TALES FROM THE CRYPT, it instantly gets my inner Monster Kid's attention. But when the result is as uneven as CHILLERAMA (2011), the Kid has to give it one thumb up and one thumb sorta wavering between three and six o'clock.

Directors Adam Rifkin (LOOK, DETROIT ROCK CITY), Tim Sullivan (2001 MANIACS), Joe Lynch (WRONG TURN 2: DEAD END), and Adam Green (HATCHET) certainly show their love for the horror genre and "B" pictures of the 50s and 60s in particular with this parade of comedy carnage that's a send-up of the stuff we used to watch at the local drive-in. The wraparound segments even take place at one--the Kaufman (as in Troma's Lloyd Kaufman, one of the film's many in-jokes), which is putting on one last all-night marathon of ultra-rare horror films before being torn down by Blumpco Industries.

The boys do a good job of capturing the flavor of an old-fashioned night at the drive-in, with giddy film fans snuggling in their cozy cars in front of the big screen (which shows vintage trailers and refreshment bumpers) or hiking to the festive concession stand to stock up on junk food. Familiar character actor Richard Riehle plays owner Cecil B. Kaufman, who spends the evening in the projection room pining over old times while toying with the idea of blowing his brains out. Among the audience are good-natured hunk Miller (Ward Roberts), who has a crush on cute concession stand girl Desi (Laura Ortiz), and teens Tobe and Mayna (Corey Jones, Kaili Thorne), who have a crush on each other.

So far, so good, and the first movie on the menu is the best--Adam Rifkin's deliriously whacky "Wadzilla", the story of nebbishy business exec Miles Munson (Rifkin) seeking medical help for his fertility problem. It seems that instead of producing lots of sperm cells, Miles can only manage one, so Dr. Weems (Ray Wise, "Twin Peaks") suggests a new, untested drug called Spermupermine. Unfortunately, the drug only increases the size of Miles' one sperm cell which, after he's forced to "eject" it during a blind date with sexy Louise (Sarah Mutch), grows to monstrous proportions and begins to terrorize the city.

Rifkin is surprisingly hilarious as Miles and displays a real talent for physical comedy while grappling wildly with the slippery creature during its early development. Its rampage through the city streets, reminiscent of THE BEAST FROM 20,000 FATHOMS and similar giant monster flicks (including Woody Allen's EVERYTHING YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT SEX) is rendered with intentionally cheesy SPFX by the Chiodo brothers, including lots of stop-motion and puppetry, and comes to a climax (yes, yes, that was intentional) when the humongous sperm meets the one woman big enough to handle it--the Statue of Liberty. Eric freakin' Roberts makes a welcome appearance as the frantic General Bukkake, who gives the order to commence "Operation Money Shot" before the sticky finish.

The bad thing about "Wadzilla" is that when it's over, CHILLERAMA has pretty much shot its wad and most of what comes after it suffers in comparison. Tim Sullivan's "I Was a Teenage Werebear" tries really hard but this gay-themed spoof of troubled teen dramas, beach party flicks, and GREASE-type musicals never comes together as crisply as this sort of thing needs to in order to be effective. The story of sexually-confused high schooler Ricky (controversial gay-porn star Sean Paul Lockhart) being seduced to the "dark side" by bad boy Talon (Anton Troy) and his werebear gang ("bears", incidentally, are big, hairy, leather-clad gay guys) is colorful and frenetic, yet most of the frat-level gay humor falls flat and the musical numbers are amateurish.

Sullivan, who is gay himself, does a nice turn as Ricky's burly gym coach, while Lin Shaye of KINGPIN and THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY isn't up to her usual standards in a take-off of the Maleva character from the Universal "Wolf Man" films. The segment ends with the werebears attacking a beach concert and causing some HORROR OF PARTY BEACH-type chaos while Ricky, who has succumbed to the werebear curse himself, pleads for peace and understanding between the gays and straights. While well-meaning and energetic, with a couple of funny scenes here and there, "I Was a Teenage Werebear" never really clicks.

Adam Green is up next with what is clearly the most eye-opening title, "The Diary of Anne Frankenstein." Here, we discover that the Franks, a Jewish family hiding from the Nazis in a cramped attic in World War II (which, of course, really happened), are actually the Frankensteins and that young Anne possesses the diary of her grandfather, Dr. Frankenstein (which, I'm assuming, is made up). Suddenly, Hitler himself and some Nazi goons bust the door down and, after a few comedy antics, gun down the Franks and steal the diary, with which Hitler and his sexy girlfriend Eva then create a hulking patchwork creature (out of "work camp parts") who resembles a cross between the Frankenstein Monster, Popeye, and a Hasidic Jew.

Whew. Well, needless to say, this is some pretty wild and potentially offensive material, but Green attacks it with enthusiasm and creativity and so does his cast. Shot entirely in subtitled German and in 30s-style black and white with a faux-ravaged look, this richly-photographed film is positively inexorable in forcing us to accept its comedy premise and laughing along with a crazed, screaming Hitler as manically played by Joel David Moore (AVATAR, HATCHET) in full mad doctor mode.

There's so much unrelenting wackiness going on here that much of it really is pretty funny if you let your defenses down, especially when Kane Hodder's one-of-a-kind monster comes to life--he's wonderful in the role, subtly expressive through a ton of incredible monster makeup and proving himself a talented comedian as he reacts dubiously to Hitler's insane rantings. Eventually realizing his origins, he turns on his creator in an orgy of Jewish-revenge-porn violence (making this sort of a companion piece to INGLORIOUS BASTERDS) that's filled with chocolate-sauce blood, god-awful gore effects, and fourth-wall breaking. And as if that weren't enough, Kane Hodder even gets to dance.

A fourth film called "Deathication" begins to unwind upon the screen before its non-stop barrage of extreme scat jokes and visuals is mercifully cut short when CHILLERAMA's actual final segment, "Zom-B-Movie" (directed by Joe Lynch), takes over. As seen in the film's prologue, drive-in employee Floyd (Miles Dougal of Rifkin's LOOK film and TV series) has become infected with a zombie virus after some graveyard necrophilia with his dead wife goes wrong, and he somehow spreads it to the theater patrons via an open can of popcorn butter.

Thus, our heroes Miller, Tobe, and Mayna, along with the redoubtable Mr. Kaufman, find themselves in the middle of an undead sex-and-cannibalism orgy that invites comparison to better films such as Peter Jackson's DEAD ALIVE and Sam Raimi's EVIL DEAD trilogy and is packed with endless references to other flicks as well. Stuffed with as much action, gore, and zombie makeups as the budget would allow, the sequence is fun but not particularly inspired, and becomes somewhat tiresome before it's done.

The DVD from Image Entertainment is in 1.78:1 widescreen with Dolby 5.1 surround sound and subtitles in English and Spanish. Bonus stuff includes a commentary with all four directors, "Wadzilla" deleted scenes and trailer, "The Making of 'The Diary of Anne Frankenstein'", "I Was a Teenage Werebear" extras (making-of, deleted scenes, and trailer), "Zom-B-Movie" deleted scenes, director interviews, and the film's trailers. The marathon closing credits crawl also features a lot of extra footage including a kickass music video for Young Beautiful In a Hurry's "I Don't Want to Die a Virgin" by Brendan McCreary.

Despite the fact that it isn't as perfect as I wanted it to be, CHILLERAMA gets goodwill points just for being what it is--a love letter to the Monster Kid in all of us. It's worth watching for its good parts (especially "Wadzilla") and the overall atmosphere of nostagia it evokes for a time when going to the drive-in to watch a few cheap horror flicks was just about one of the most fun things you could imagine doing.

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"DON'T LET HIM IN" from Image Entertainment -- coming to DVD January 3rd

2011-11-30T16:48:00.000-08:00

FROM IMAGE ENTERTAINMENT: WHEN TERROR DARES TO STEP OVER THE THRESHHOLD… "DON’T LET HIM IN"

Crossing onto DVD January 3, 2012

Chatsworth, CA – A quiet weekend getaway in the country becomes a nightmarish race for survival! On January 3, 2012, Image Entertainment releases Don’t Let Him In on DVD. Premiering at this year’s BAFTAs®, Don’t Let Him In is already creating a buzz amongst the horror community on this side of the Atlantic. SRP is $27.97, and pre-book is December 6.

Paige (Sophie Linfield, Mrs. Palfrey at The Claremont) and Calvin (Rhys Meredith, “Henry VIII,” “State of Play”) have decided to leave the city for the weekend to enjoy the calming English countryside. Their rural retreat is interrupted when Calvin’s brazen sister brings along Tristan (Gordon Alexander, Sucker Punch), a city trader she picked up a one-night stand. Relations turn from uncomfortable to unnerving when the group learns a serial killer -- “The Tree Surgeon”—has been terrorizing the area. When the facts start to fall into place, and the blood begins to flow, they will have to face the true nature of their uninvited guest.

Also starring Sam Hazeldine (“Midsomer Murders,” the upcoming The Raven) Don’t Let Him In “delivers on the body count, has an awesome serial killer, and there’s a nice twist at the end.” (QuietEarth.us) It is a cautionary tale full of foreboding and fear, ending with a warning that resonates throughout the English woods: Don’t Let Him In!

About Image Entertainment:
Image Entertainment, Inc. (OTCQB: DISK ) is a leading independent licensee and distributor of entertainment programming in North America, with approximately 3,200 exclusive DVD titles and approximately 340 exclusive CD titles in domestic release and more than 450 programs internationally via sublicense agreements. For many of its titles, the Company has exclusive audio and broadcast rights, as well as digital download rights to over 2,100 video programs and approximately 400 audio titles containing more than 6,000 individual tracks. The Company is headquartered in Chatsworth , California . For more information about Image Entertainment, Inc., please go to www.image-entertainment.com.

Don’t Let Him In DVD
Genre:                         Drama, Horror, Thriller, Slashers/Serial Killers, Mystery/Suspense
Rating:                        Not Rated
Language:                   English
Format:                        Anamorphic Widescreen (1.85:1)
Audio:                         Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles:                     English, Spanish
Year:                           2011
MSRP:                        $27.97
Street Date:                 January 3, 2012
Pre-Book:                    December 6, 2011
Length:                        80 minutes
UPC:                           014381768022
Cat#:                           IMW7680DVD

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