"Knowing" Blu-ray Review

July 02, 2009, 09:33:10 AM by Zach Demeter in Reviews.

Portrayed as another disaster / end of the world type film through the TV trailers, Knowing was panned by critics as being too heavy-handed with its themes and the culprit of some hammy acting on Cage’s part, but for as much criticism as the film received, the box office numbers didn’t reflect anything too bad—with a production budget of around $50 million, the film made back three times that with worldwide receipts take into account. Not bad for a film that was largely ignored when it debuted, despite some high-profile critics praising it amidst the torrent of disgust (Roger Ebert was one such critic, who’s four star review adorns the front cover of the home video release).

Synopsis
Nicolas Cage (National Treasure) stars in this edge of your seat sci-fi thriller as John Koestler, a professor who deciphers a coded message with terrifyingly accurate predictions about every major world disasters. Looking to protect his family and prevent future calamities, he enlists the reluctant help of Diana Wayland (Rose Byrne), daughter of the now-deceased author of the prophecies. His quest to understand the messages and his own family’s involvement in them becomes a heart-pounding race against time as he faces the ultimate disaster.

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"John Mayall - 70th Birthday Concert" Blu-ray Review

July 01, 2009, 12:49:59 PM by Zach Demeter in Reviews.

Considered the father of British blues, John Mayall is one of the most famous names in the blues genre and while many would be quick to bring up Eric Clapton’s name first, it was really Mayall who pioneered the field. Of course Clapton left Mayall’s Bluesbreakers band to form his own, but that didn’t keep him and a few other old friends from returning to celebrate Mayall’s 70th birthday and recreating a fantastic set list that spans the Bluesbreakers career. From the two and a half hours that the concert runs to the sixteen song set-list, the enjoyment fans will get from owning this concert will go on long after the initial viewing is over…if only because repeat viewings are inevitable.

Synopsis
Liverpool's King's Dock on July 19, 2003 was the venue for a long awaited and much anticipated reunion between Eric Clapton and John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers. The occasion was both a celebration of John Mayall's 70th year and a fundraiser for UNICEF. Also invited to the party were former Bluesbreaker and Rolling Stone Mick Taylor and veteran trombonist Chris Barber. If you're a lover of the blues it doesn't get much better than this. The show ran for around two and a half hours and the film is now presented here in its entirety for the first time.

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"Ted Nugent: Motor City Mayhem" Blu-ray Review

July 01, 2009, 12:49:07 PM by Zach Demeter in Reviews.

In recent years it seems as if Ted Nugent has become more popular for speaking his mind on political issues and being associated with guns, hunting and cowboy hats. This is completely ignoring his origins, however, as he started out as a musician and as this 2008, six thousandth show makes evident, this isn’t a man who has lost his knack for entertaining over the years. While he definitely has a very unique and choice group of fans and followers, there’s little denying that there’s a bit of a cult following surrounding Ted Nugent, what with his various nicknames and his opinions speaking louder than his music at times…but no matter which way you cut it, seeing him perform is a sight to see.

Synopsis
July 4, 2008 was a landmark night at the DTE Energy Music Centre in the 40+ year touring career of Detroit’s own Ted Nugent, as he performed his 6,000th show to a raucous hometown crowd. For the 20,000+ that attended, this show was an affirmation that a Ted Nugent show is not just a show…it is a celebration. A celebration of life, a celebration of Motor City rock n’ roll and, on this night, a celebration of over 40 years of touring to all corners of the Earth.

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"Pink Panther 2" Blu-ray Review

June 30, 2009, 12:49:27 PM by Zach Demeter in Reviews.

While the original Pink Panther films are not something that remain in the conscious of most movie goers today, they really are some of the best examples of comedy that is both slapstick in nature as well as humor driven by ridiculous dialogue, funny accents and…well, more slapstick. So while the formula is simple and easy to replicate, the end result is, unfortunately, not always as enjoyable as the originals. The recent Steve Martin offerings, for example, seem to be mere shadows of what the originals once were and rely on the repetition of moderately entertaining jokes or almost entirely on the visual gag. It should come as no surprise then that these films haven’t been particularly well received by critics or audiences, with this latest offering grossing barely over $75 million…worldwide.

Synopsis
Steve Martin returns to the scene of the fun as the brilliant, bumbling Inspector Jacques Clouseau in this side-splitting slapstick comedy for the whole family! When legendary treasures from around the world are stolen, including the priceless Pink Panther diamond, Clouseau is assigned to a dream team of international detectives who are under pressure to bring the master thief to justice before he strikes again. Co-starring Jean Reno, Alfred Molina, Andy Garcia, Lily Tomlin and John Cleese, The Pink Panther 2 will steal your heart...and keep you laughing!

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"Spaceballs" Blu-ray Review

June 29, 2009, 01:15:13 PM by Zach Demeter in Reviews.

While Mel Brook’s films have all reached a certain level of popularity over the years, there are a few that it seems that everyone has seen…Spaceballs being one of them. The 1987 parody of Star Wars was a bit late to the party, arriving four years after Return of the Jedi debuted, but nonetheless something that was easily accessible by all those who had been going to the theater for the past ten years when Spaceballs debuted. The material it spoofed was obvious, but it was this easy accessibility that made it such a riot to watch and with a cast that included Mel Brooks, John Candy, Rick Moranis, and Bill Pullman, this will forever remain one of Brooks’s most hilarious and memorable films.

Synopsis
The farce is with you in this "uproarious salute to science fiction" (The Hollywood Reporter) that teams comedy legend Mel Brooks with an all-star cast of cutups including John Candy (Splash), Rick Moranis (Ghostbusters) and Bill Pullman (Ruthless People)! When the evil Dark Helmet (Moranis) attempts to steal all the air from planet Druidia, a determined Druish Princess (Daphne Zuniga), a clueless rogue (Pullman) and a half-man/half-dog creature who's his own best friend (Candy) set out to stop him! But with the forces of darkness closing in on them at ludicrous speed, they'll need the help of a wise imp named Yogurt (Brooks) and the mystical power of "The Schwartz" to bring peace and merchandising rights to the entire galaxy!

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"Eastbound and Down: Season 1" DVD Review

June 26, 2009, 12:25:49 PM by Zach Demeter in Reviews.

If you haven’t heard of or seen Danny McBride by now, then you just haven’t turned on your TV lately. While he has littered himself in supporting roles throughout the years (most famously as the guy who blows everything up in Tropic Thunder), it’s only recently that he’s truly come into the spotlight. Pineapple Express billed him alongside Seth Rogen and James Franco and McBride had a fairly large role in Hot Rod. But once Adam McKay and Will Ferrell got together to make a new show for HBO, they looked at McBride and knew he was the perfect choice for Eastbound and Down. Foul mouthed, angry, and fitting the part like a glove, McBride made the reckless Kenny Powers into pure entertainment for six straight episodes of ridiculousness.

Synopsis
In this hilarious new HBO comedy series from Executive Producers including Will Ferrell, Kenny Powers, a washed-up former Major League Baseball star, is forced to return to his hometown to teach P.E. at his old middle school. While preparing for his triumphant return to the big leagues, Kenny moves in with his brother’s family and proves adept at burning every bridge he crosses.

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"Prison Break: The Complete Fourth Season" DVD Review

June 25, 2009, 01:26:33 PM by Zach Demeter in Reviews.

Prison Break has always been one of Fox’s more popular “break-out” series in recent years. It was also one of the few to actually go out on its own terms, as a vast majority of Fox shows that develop a following are not able to go out on a proper note when it comes to how abruptly Fox cancels some shows. But for fans of Prison Break, a show that in of itself was already a concept that could only go on for so long, they were given the chance for the show to not only tie itself up in a lengthy fourth and final season, but to also add a little addendum to it with The Final Break, which arrives on DVD in about a month.

Synopsis
After engineering an escape from the hellish Panamanian prison Sona, brothers Michael Scofield and Lincoln Burrows are determined to seek justice against The Company, the shadowy group responsible for destroying their lives and killing the woman Michael loves, Dr. Sara Tancredi. During their quest for vengeance, Michael’s world is turned upside down when he learns that Sara is still alive. Realizing the only way they will truly be free, Michael and Lincoln avenge to find Sara and take down The Company. With the help of a government handler, they assemble a group of allies and familiar faces including Mahone, Sucre and Bellick to aid in their seemingly impossible task. Unfortunately for the brothers, they must also enlist T-Bag, who unknowingly possesses a vital clue to help them pull off their most difficult challenge yet. They’ll soon discover the only thing harder than breaking out is breaking in. The ending with shock you!

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"B.B. King - Live at Montreux" Blu-ray Review

June 24, 2009, 12:48:20 PM by Zach Demeter in Reviews.

B.B. King is, without a doubt one of the more famous and well known musicians of all time and when he brought his is irresistible and identifiable sound to Montreux in 1993, one of his better performances was given and recorded in full high-definition. With the full sixteen song set being included in both the DVD and Blu-ray releases, fans of the King can get also delve into a few newer songs that he performed in 2006 as well (Blu-ray release only). Although the concert presented here is over thirteen years old, the intensity of it has not faded in the least.

Synopsis
Perhaps the greatest living bluesman, B.B. King was but a mere 68 when he appeared at Montreux in 1993 to wow the faithful. And he didn’t disappoint. Both DVD and Blu-ray contain his classic 16-song set. The Blu-ray has an exclusive three-song bonus (“Why I Sing The Blues,” “When Love Comes To Town,” and “Guess Who”) from his Montreux appearance 13 years later in 2006 at the age of 81.

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