In the Fantastic Fest Q&A, Zahler stresses that he did not make Bone Tomahawk as a horror film, even though parts are intended to frighten the audience. Anyone expecting a traditional gorefest will be disappointed, because Zahler is more interested in exploring character than filling the screen with blood. Bone Tomahawk contains several gruesome scenes that probably would not survive intact for the film to obtain an R rating, but they are merely exclamation points. Far more memorable is the deliberate and suspenseful buildup to those intense moments, as four isolated men confront their inner demons under a vast and lonely sky. Highly recommended.
Ted 2 is a wildly fun film that runs a bit too long for its own good, but the core dynamics -- the bond between John and Ted, the effortlessness with which they interact (thanks to great digital and voice work), and the chemistry they share in their joke telling -- remain the series' strength. The plot is right out of Star Trek but gets the movie where it needs to go. For such a simple idea and generally simple execution, it all works very well and the result, with Ted 2, is one of the funniest movies of 2015. Universal's Blu-ray release of Ted 2 features standout video and audio. An average allotment of extras are included. Highly recommended.
Pitch Perfect 2 doesn't take itself even the least bit serious. That's a necessary approach considering that, at its core, the film lacks even a smidgen of creativity. It gets by on its cast camaraderie and endless flow of humor, which helps mask the very much cliché story details through which the movie maneuvers. Fans of the original should enjoy this follow-up considering that it maintains a core approach from which it never deviates. Universal's Blu-ray release of Pitch Perfect 2 features top-end video and audio. Supplements are many in number but a bit superficial in quality. Recommended.
Minions works just fine as a colorful diversion that will satisfy the kids. In fact, it'll probably delight them. But in a marketplace filled with terrific animated movies that both kids and adults can love for their own reasons, Minions leaves the older crowd in the cold, catering exclusively to those more enticed by sight and sound than story depth and purpose. That's not a bad thing, and there's a reason why the movie cleaned up at the box office: it knows its audience and delivers what its audience wants. It's just a bit more focused on its younger audience's immediate wants and needs rather than trying to expand into a multigenerational classic. Universal's Blu-ray release of Minions delivers high end video and audio. An fair amount of brief extras are included. Recommended.
Comfortably control your PC or Mac with this Insignia™ NS-PNC5011 wireless keyboard and wireless optical mouse, which feature 2.4GHz wireless technology to eliminate restrictive power cords. The mouse's scrolling wheel makes navigation easy.
There's a certain champagne mood to "Charlie Wilson's War" that's entertaining, hitting a handful of magnetic highlights, but there are only a few nibbles of dramatic meat on these bones. The movie isn't built for depth, preserving more of an overview of Wilson's rather remarkable run as the ringleader of this armament effort, using his charms and connection to unite opposing Middle Eastern forces and woo fellow congressmen into place. It's a remarkable story with a grim conclusion, yet "Charlie Wilson's War" doesn't test extremes. It's more comfortable in the middle, laboring to squeeze laughs and a few guffaws out of the tale, keeping tight on its subject and his remarkably casual way with global change.
If you grew up in the early 80s, or you're a Prince fan from way back in the day, you've probably seen Purple Rain and already have an opinion of it one way or another. For those who were either too young or too old to catch Prince's sweaty zeitgeist, the film is a pretty good indication of what was happening pop culture-wise during the Reagan years. With a decent, but never stunning AV lineup and a bounty of extra features, I'd say Purple Rain is a must-own for Prince fans, but a solid rental for everyone else.
The cast is relatively game, but the story here is simply so hackneyed that it can't ultimately be overcome even by Master Class level thespians. This is another scenic Sparks romance, but it's virtually interchangeable with all the other scenic Sparks romances. Technical merits are strong for those considering a purchase.
Sisters probably won't go down as a genre classic -- its burdensome and uneven first half all but ensures that -- but it's a lot of fun once it gets rolling. A terrific lead tandem and a strong supporting cast accentuate the movie's finest qualities and story themes. Universal's Blu-ray release comes packed to the gills with featurettes, deleted and extended scenes, and an audio commentary. Picture quality is great and sound is fine. Recommended.
The Martian makes a play for a sort of globalism and unity of Mankind as it moves into its predictably heartstring tugging finale, but what really sets this film apart from many of its science fiction kin is its resolute depiction of both a single working scientist (Watney) and a team of working scientists (the Ares III crew and their NASA cohorts) all using science to overcome seemingly unconquerable odds. The film is tonally a bit of an odd duck, with an almost whimsical sense of humor at times that may strike some viewers as misplaced. But Ridley Scott once again proves he is the master of both the large canvas and intimate personal angles of a larger than life story. Supplemental features are a bit on the self promotional side (what else is new?), but technical merits are top notch and The Martian comes Highly recommended.