What I Saw Last Week...

Oh the horror…

Blood Feast 2: All U Can Eat (2002) (F) 6 of 10
Disturbing Behavior (1998) ® 8 of 10
Friday the 13th (2009) ® 7 of 10
My Name is Bruce (2007) ® 7 of 10
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986) ® 7 of 10

The Rest in Peace…

Big Trouble in Little China (1986) ® 8 of 10
Closer (2004) ® 7 of 10
District 9 (2009) ® 9 of 10
Metallica: Live Shit – Binge & Purge – Seattle (1993) ® 8 of 10
The Searchers (1956) ® 9 of 10
Star Wars 4: A New Hope (1977) ® 10 of 10
Star Wars 5: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) ® 10 of 10
Star Wars 6: Return of the Jedi (1983) ® 10 of 10
The Three Faces of Eve (1957) (F) 8 of 10

TV Seasons…

None

12/22/2009 New on Home Video Today.

12/22/2009

DVD Releases:

(500) Days of Summer 2009
All About Steve 2009
American Pie presents: The Book of Love 2009
Beyond a Reasonable Doubt 2009
District 9 2009
District 9 2009 2-Disc Edition
Extract 2009
Family Guy presents: Something, Something, Something Dark Side 2009
Ghost Machine 2009
Hair Extensions 2007
Ichi 2008
It Might Get Loud 2009
Kyle XY – Season 3 2009
Paranormal Entity 2009
Secret Life of the American Teenager – Season 3 2009
Shattered Lives
Taxi – The Final Season 1982

BluRay Releases:

(500) Days of Summer 2009
All About Steve 2009
American Pie presents: The Book of Love 2009
Beyond a Reasonable Doubt 2009
District 9 2009
Extract 2009
Family Guy presents: Something, Something, Something Dark Side 2009
Ichi 2008
It Might Get Loud 2009

What I Saw Last Week...

Oh the horror…

Bachelor Party in the Bungalow of the Damned (2006) (F) 3 of 10
Darkness Falls (2003) ® 6 of 10
Dead Air (2009) (F) 7 of 10
The Gate (1987) ® 7 of 10
Ghost Machine (2009) (F) 5 of 10
Gutterballs (2008) (F) Unrated 7 of 10
Paranormal Entity (2009) (F) 4 of 10

The Rest in Peace…

12 Monkeys (1995) ® 9 of 10
Annihilation Earth (2009) (F) 3.5/5
Family Guy: Something Something Something Dark Side (2009) (F) 8 of 10
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009) ® 8 of 10
Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life (1983) ® 8 of 10
Robin Williams: Weapons of Self Destruction (2009) (F) 6 of 10
The Sister-in-Law (1974) (F) 6 of 10
The Stepmother (1972) (F) 6 of 10
Wing Commander (1999) ® 6 of 10

TV Seasons…

Californication – Season 3 (2009) (F) 9 of 10
Dexter – Season 4 (2009) (F) 9 of 10
Ghost Hunters Academy – Season 1 (2009) (F) 3 of 10
Xavier: Renegade Angel – Season 1 (2007) (F) 5 of 10

12/15/2009 New on Home Video Today.

12/15/2009

DVD Releases:

Art of Love (1983)
Bleach – Volume 23
Dead Men Don’t Make Shadows / Django meets Sartana (Double Feature)
G-Force (2008)
G-Force (2008) Deluxe Edition
The Girl from Morocco (2008)
The Goods: Live Hard Sell Hard (2009)
Guyver: The Complete Series
The Hangover (2008)
The Hangover (2008) Unrated
Inglorious Bastards (2009)
Inglorious Bastards (2009) Special Edition
La Boheme
Murder by Decree
The Other Man (2008)
Psycho Ward (2009)
Robot Chicken – Season 4 (2008)
The Sherlock Holmes Collection (2009)
Taking Woodstock (2008)
The Tudors – Season 4 (2009)

BluRay Releases:

Basilisk: The Complete Series
G-Force (2008)
The Hangover (2008) Unrated
Inglorious Bastards (2009) Special Edition
La Boheme
The Mel Brooks Collection (2009)
The Other Man (2008)
Samurai Champoo: The Complete Series
Star Trek: The Original Series – Season 3 (1969)
Taking Woodstock (2008)

What I Saw Last Week...

Alice (2009) 3/5
A rather underwhelming Syfy mini-series. Pass this one up for the Tim Burton one next year.

Black Christmas (2006) Unrated 3/5
A little better the second time around.

Blood Moon Rising (2009) 2.5/5
A silly, low-budget cheese festival.

Drainiac! (2000) 3/5
Boy that house really needs the Roto-rooter man.

Ghostfuck [Colpo dell’anno] (1995) 2.5/5
More D’Amato sleeze.

Halloween II (2009) Unrated Director’s Cut 3.5/5
I like the Director’s Cut a little bit more than the theatrical.

Hanger (2009) Unrated 3.5/5
Wow, this one’s something else.

Iron Man: Armored Adventures vol. 1 (2008) 3/5
A passable cartoon.

Mr. Jingles (2006) 2/5
A disappointing sequel to S.I.C.K.

Prom Night (1980) 2/5
Yawn. I actually like the remake more, which isn’t saying much.

Star Wars 1: The Phantom Menace (1999) 3.5/5
Star Wars 2: Attack of the Clones (2002) 4/5
My Far, Far Away marathon begins…

Terminator Salvation (2009) Director’s Cut 3/5
My least favorite of the series so far.

The Ugly Truth (2009) 4/5
No expectations have their awards sometimes. Surprisingly funny despite the usual template.

12/08/2009 New on Home Video This Week.

12/08/2009

DVD Releases:

Coraline - Limited Edition Giftset (2009)
The Dead (1987)
The Dog Who Saved Christmas (2009)
I Downloaded a Ghost (2001)
Friday: The Complete Animated Series (2007)
The Fugitive – Season 3 v2 (1966)
Get Smart – Season 5 (1969)
Ghosted
Gozu (2003) Collector’s Edition
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) Ultimate Edition
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009) Special Edition
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001) Ultimate Edition
Julie & Julia (2009)
Lost – Season 5 (2009) The Journey Back – Expanded Edition
Lost – Season 5 (2009) The Journey Back – Expanded Edition (Dharma Imitative Orientation Kit)
Moonlight Serenade (2009)
Perry Mason – Season 4 v2
Plaguers (2008)
Public Enemies (2009)
Public Enemies (2009) Special Edition
Rescue Me – Season 4 v2 (2009)
Run! Bitch, Run! (2009)
Shank (Unrated Director’s Cut)
SpongeBob SquarePants – Season 6 v1 (2008)


BluRay Releases:

AC/DC – No Bull (1996)
The Alphabet Killer (2008)
Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon (2006)
Coraline - Limited Edition Giftset (2009)
Cyclops (2008)
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) Ultimate Edition
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001) Ultimate Edition
Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer (2007)
Julie & Julia (2009)
Lost – Season 5 (2009) The Journey Back – Expanded Edition
Lower Learning (2008)
Public Enemies (2009) Special Edition
Red Mist (2008)
Rush – R30
Sands of Oblivion (2007)
Walled In (2008)
While She Was Out (2008)
World’s Greatest Dad (2008)

What I Saw Last Week...

1. Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. (2003)
Repeat View HD * * *
Big G versus Mecha G with Mothra as a referee. Tokyo’s the ring and destruction is the name of the game.

2. The Echo (2008)
First View HD * * ½
Well it’s all been done before, with much better results. The sound design is pretty decent and helps establish what little atmosphere there is.

3. Funny People (2009) Unrated
First View SD * * *
More drama than funny. It’s a tad long and not funny enough.

4. Chuck – Season 1 (2007)
Repeat View USD * * * ½
A fun geeky series.

5. Angels & Demons (2009) Extended Version
First View HD * * * *
“Angels” is a fine sequel (even though it was published before “Da Vinci”). Although I preferred the hunt for the Grail in “Code” as a storyline “Angels” is clearly a better film. “Da Vinci” occasionally suffered from pacing issues and lapses (which were made better by its extended version) “Angels” hits the ground running and is engaging until the end.

6. The Final Destination (2009)
First View SD * * * ½
The franchise is brought to its fiery end (yeah right) in “The Final Destination”. NASCAR racing is the big beginning with a lovely fiery, CGI bang. Don’t expect any new ground to be broken. Just sit back and enjoy the mayhem.

7. Black Dynamite (2009)
First View SD * * * *
Great Blaxploitation spoof. Can you dig it?

8. The General (1927)
First View HD * * * *
I believe this is my first Buster Keaton movie. I liked it. It was entertaining.

9. Beyond Sherwood Forest (2009)
First View HD *
Silly Syfy drivel that tosses dragons and other fantasy elements into the Robin Hood legend. It’s dry and lifeless. But Maid Marion is made for marrying…ba-doom, tiss!

10. The Big Boss (1971)
Repeat View USD * * * *
I was in the mood for a little hi-ya so why not go with the master?

11. Heat (1995)
Repeat View HD * * * * *
Michael Mann’s crime epic is far from perfect (there are several glaring oversights) but with a grade A cast and a wonderful script it’s easy to overlook a few minor flaws.

12. Rest Stop: Don’t Look Back (2008) Unrated
Repeat View HD * * *
I enjoy this Raw Feed series.

13. The Mummy (1999)
Repeat View HD * * * ½
It’s a decent enough Indiana Jones-style adventure film. It’s nowhere near the original.

14. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) Extended Edition
Repeat View HD * * * * *
A rousing conclusion to one of the best book adaptations…ever.

15. Logan’s Run (1976)
Repeat View HD * * * ½
“Logan’s Run” is an interesting concept but the production design is a bit sparse (actually more like sterile) for my taste but the funky and quirky Jerry Goldsmith score is fun.

16. Deep Impact (1998)
Repeat View HD * * * *
Summer of the astral impact disaster flicks. I prefer this one slightly over “Armageddon”.

17. S.I.C.K. (2003)
First View SD * * * ½
After hearing how horrible this one was I avoided it. But I gave it a go and thought it was pretty damned decent.

Law Abiding Citizen (2009)
First View SD * * * *
A wicked revenge flick.

12/01/2009 New on Home Video Today.

12/01/2009

DVD Releases:

Ben 10: Alien Swarm (2009)
Better Off Ted – Season 1 (2009)
The Dead (1987)
Deader Country
Deadline (2009)
Death Warrior
Endgame
Mental – Season 1 (2009)
Mystery Science Theater 3000: Collection vol. 16
Night at the Museum: Battle at the Smithsonian (2009)
Paper Heart (2009)
Saturday Night Live – Season 5 (1979)
Silent Night, Deadly Night Triple Feature (2009)
Suns of the Father
Six Sex Scenes and a Murder
Storm of the Dead
Terminator: Salvation (2009)

BluRay Releases:

Ben 10: Alien Swarm (2009)
Deadline (2009)
Death Warrior
Gimme Shelter (1970) Criterion Collection
The Green Mile (1999)
Gremlins (1984)
Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Guns (1998)
The Mask of Zorro (1998)
The Mask of Zorro / The Legend of Zorro
Night at the Museum: Battle at the Smithsonian (2009)
Paper Heart (2009)
Secondhand Lions (2003)
Snatch (2001)
Terminator: Salvation (2009)
The Wizard of Oz (1939) Emerald Edition

What I Saw Last Week...

Street Fighter: Round One Fight (2009)
First View
* ½
I sort of just randomly watched this one. I don’t care for the style of anime that is of pictures being moved around with voiceovers. It would have been much more enjoyable as standard anime.

The Robot vs. the Aztec Mummy (1958)
First View
* ½
A silly dubbed Mexican flick that seems like a picture cobbled together by hacking and splicing several films. Fun for the younger set I guess but a badly written bore for the rest of us.

Dante’s Peek (1997)
Repeat View
* * * ½
The better of the two volcano films that year. “Volcano” just was too farfetched.

Predator 2 (1990)
Repeat View
* * * ½
“P2” is a sold sequel but not quite as good as the original. Bringing the Predator to the big city was a wise choice.

Fight Club (1999)
Repeat View
* * * * *
I am Tyler’s busted nut…

Leon: The Professional (1994) Extended Version
Repeat View
* * * * *
Jean Reno, Gary Oldman and Natalie Portman really hit this one out of the park as does Luc Besson. (t’s a pity the sequel never materialized.

The Unborn (2009) Unrated
Repeat View
* * *
The Unborn is a hodge-podge of Jewish mysticism, The Exorcist and a smidge of The Grudge. It’s decent but it treads some tired old ground as it unwinds.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)
Repeat View
* * * *
Indiana finally makes the jump to the 21st century. Overwrought, under-realized CGI and all. For me it rates above Crusade but below Raiders and Doom.

S.F.W. (1994)
Repeat View
* * * *
S.F.W. is an excellent drama-dy on the fickleness of pop culture and the lunacy of the “15 Minutes of Fame” culture. It’s not changed. It’s only gotten worse.

Suspiria (1977)
Repeat View
* * * * *
What else can be said?

Saw VI (2009)
First View
* * *
I enjoyed the first two. But starting with part three it did a nose-dive in to non-existent plot with character twists seemingly pulled out of thin air (or asses more likely) and gore galore. Then it did a crapper around five. Now Lionsgate is trying to revive their cash-cow with so-so effect. It kinda hit with a thud at the box office. The ride may be over. Saw VI is improvement over the last two or three installments but I think it’s time to take this franchise out behind the barn.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) Extended Edition
Repeat View
* * * * *
I thought I’d have a holiday viewing of the extended trilogy.

Crank (2006)
Repeat View
* * * *
“Crank” is an insanely entertaining concept which which Statham and the creators milk to the 9’s.

Triangle (2009)
First View
* * * ½
A group of friends go sailing. During their voyage a storm nearly kills them. Afterwards they come across an old ocean liner that they investigate. The second and third acts start twisting away and although it gets a bit muddled Triangle is a pretty decent thriller.

The Blackout (2009)
First View
* * *
An apartment building comes under siege of some nasty beasts that creep out of the Earth after tremors leave them a pathway from the depths. A likable horror that draws off “The Descent” and maybe “Demons 2”.

Crank 2: High Voltage (2009)
Repeat View
* * * *
“High Voltage” is an even more psychotic and stylized sequel to the incredibly fun original.

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) Extended Edition
Repeat View
* * * * *
I continue my journey through Middle Earth.

The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009)
First View
* *
First of all I gave the first one a three of five so I did like that one for what it was. Bur “New Moon” is two plus hours of pure mopping around. Dreadfully slow, this unapologetic redux of “Romeo & Juliet” drags on and on until one can almost not stand it any longer. I know I’m not the target audience (cougars & ‘tweens) but holy hell will something interesting happen already. The photography is the only real high point. The question shouldn’t be are you Team Edward or Team Jacob but when the hell will the credits roll?

11/24/2009 New on Home Video Today.

11/24/2009

DVD Releases:

Air America (1990)
Alfred Hitchcock Presents – Season 4 (1968)
Angels & Demons (2009)
Angels & Demons (2009) Extended Edition
Angels & Demons Decoded (2009)
Art of the Devil III (2007)
Beverly Hills 90210 – Season 8 (1997)
Blood Moon Rising (2009)
A Christmas Carol (1951) Ultimate Collector’s Edition
Devil Girl (2008)
Devil Man (2004) Special Edition
Far Cry (2008)
Four Christmases (2009)
Funny People (2009) Unrated & Theatrical
Funny People (2009) Unrated Collector’s Edition
Gomorrah (2008) Criterion Collection
Hogan’s Heroes: The Complete Series (1965) Kommandant’s Kollection
Imagine That (2009)
Law & Order: Criminal Intent – The Fourth Year (2004)
The Maiden Heist (2009)
Megafault (2009)
Melrose Place – Season 5 (1997)
Rareflix vol. 5 (Triple Feature)
The Rebirth (2009)
Rush: R30
Santa Buddies (2009)
Shorts (2009)
Slaughtered Vomit Dolls (2008)
Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs (1937)
Superman: The Complete Animated Series
The Witches Hammer (2006)

BluRay Releases:

Air America (1990)
Angel Heart (1987)
Angels & Demons (2009)
Blood: The Last Vampire (2000)
A Christmas Carol (1951)
Cujo (1983) 25th Anniversary Edition
Four Christmases (2009)
Frailty (2001)
Funny People (2009) Unrated Collector’s Edition
Ghost in the Shell 2.0 (1995)
Gomorrah (2008) Criterion Collection
Ink (2009)
Megafault (2009)
The Monster Squad (1987) 20th Anniversary Edition
My Bloody Valentine (1981) Special Edition
My Brilliant Career (1979)
New Police Story (2004)
Santa Buddies (2009)
Sex and Death 101 / Heathers (20th High School Reunion Edition)
Shorts (2009)
The Sopranos – Season 1 (1999)
Streets of Blood / Lies and Illusions
Traitor / Righteous Kill
The Way of the Gun (2000)