DVD, BLU-RAY & STREAMING – MARTYRS
Nothing will prepare you for the onslaught to the senses from one of the most intense and grueling horror movie experiences I have ever set eyes on.
Reviews
MOVIE REVIEW – INSIDE OUT
It’s quite a testament to the consistent quality Pixar has brought to films for twenty years that even though they’ve had some missteps recently, the fact that they NAIL IT once again with their newest release, “Inside Out”, is no real surprise.
MOVIE REVIEW – SPY
Few scenes fly by without the jokes coming fast and funny. There are too many comedies today with missed opportunities and Feig and McCarthy don’t let any of those moments pass without delivering something hilarious.
MOVIE REVIEW – LOVE & MERCY
LOVE & MERCY is, above all, a movie meant for the movie theater. It’s an unvarnished look at Brian Wilson’s life and the suffering behind his music.
MOVIE REVIEW – WELCOME TO ME
Alice is a tough character to get behind. She’s constantly saying things that make the other characters around her uncomfortable, things that make me like her less.
DVD, BLU-RAY & STREAMING – BATMAN VS. ROBIN
While DC Comics has been playing catch-up to the live-action Marvel Cinematic Universe, DC’s animated films have delivered strong stories and quality animation consistently.
MOVIE REVIEW – MAD MAX: FURY ROAD
The setting along with the vehicles are gloriously post-apocalyptic and the soundtrack rouses us like never before. But where is Max in all of this?
DVD, BLU-RAY & STREAMING – BLUE RUIN
Revenge is a dish best served cold, or even better, not at all.
MOVIE REVIEW – EX MACHINA
A chilling pot boiler with eye-opening visuals and dynamic performances from the entire cast.
MOVIE REVIEW – GOOD KILL
The war has changed, but the toll on the soldier remains the same in “Good Kill”, the latest (and most indie-feel) film from Andrew Niccol.
MOVIE REVIEW – AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON
There is a LOT going on in “Avengers: Age of Ultron”, the latest in the ongoing saga of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. That works both for and against the film, but overall, in the hands of Joss Whedon, it’s never dull.
MOVIE REVIEW – FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD
Bathsheba has a strong head about her that reminds me of Black Widow, who outsmarts her opponents long before she dismantles them with fighting technique.
INDIE REPORT – PRIMROSE LANE
Writer/director and actress Kathleen Davison has a haunting tale to tell, and it was told well as the closing night film for the NoHo Cinefest.
MOVIE REVIEW – UNFRIENDED
“Unfriended” is an interesting horror film in that the characters are so shallow, obnoxious and unlikable that I think it’s a pretty accurate portrayal of entitled, tech-addicted youths and there’s great reward in watching them get offed.
MOVIE REVIEW – FURIOUS 7
First and foremost you should know that “Furious 7” is a bunch of bullshit. Once you get beyond knowing that it’s just not a story of this Earth, you can have a fun time!
SHORT FILM SHOWCASE 2015
Ray Schillaci recommends four exceptional short films: “The Apple Tree”, “Tomgirl”, “Moving On” and “A Tricky Treat”.
MOVIE REVIEW – ALEX OF VENICE
“Alex of Venice” brings with it all the best elements you’ve come to want in an indie film: drama, humor, romance and an overall welcome effort to keep it simple.
MOVIE REVIEW – THE GUNMAN
“The Gunman” is the perfect vehicle for Sean Penn to pull a Liam Neeson and do a late-career swing into action
DVD, BLU-RAY & STREAMING – PREDESTINATION
Aided by a complex story, interesting characters and tight direction, the Spierigs deliver a powerful punch that has you talking about the film long after it is over
MOVIE REVIEW – THE DUFF
“The Duff” knows its ancestry – John Hughes movies – and the film wisely embraces the best qualities of that genre without ripping it off.
MOVIE REVIEW – AVENGED
Here is an independent genre film that operates high on all cylinders and delivers the goods promised.
MOVIE REVIEW – FOCUS
The exploits of con men crossing and double-crossing each other are told through the filter of beautiful people in “Focus”
OSCAR NOMINEE MOVIE REVIEW – AMERICAN SNIPER
If it’s Oscar season, it must be time for mock controversy!
OSCAR NOMINEE MOVIE REVIEW – WHIPLASH
WHIPLASH is a story about the pursuit of excellence. To me, it was the best picture I saw all of last year.
OSCAR NOMINEE MOVIE REVIEW – THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING
Is it manipulating? At times, it attempts to be. Does it accomplish everything it set out to do? Perhaps. Do we end up caring? Depends on the audience.
OSCAR NOMINEE MOVIE REVIEW – BIRDMAN, OR THE UNEXPECTED VIRTUE OF IGNORANCE
The title suggests that the creative minds responsible for this fascinating film don’t mind if you refer to it by either of the titles listed above. There really are two stories happening at the same time, though it does appear to be just one.
OSCAR NOMINEE MOVIE REVIEW – THE IMITATION GAME
Historical Spoilers Ahead! If you do NOT KNOW WORLD HISTORY, or do NOT WANT TO KNOW ABOUT WORLD HISTORY, then DO NOT KEEP READING!
OSCAR NOMINEE MOVIE REVIEW – SELMA
For all who are uninitiated, “Selma” is not just about Martin Luther King Jr, although he is a key player in its history. Just as fascinating are all the supporting players that were integral to the historical events that took place in Selma, Alabama.
MOVIE REVIEW – UNBROKEN
Zamperini’s life story is worthy of a five star HBO mini-series rather being crammed into a two hour movie
MOVIE REVIEW – INTO THE WOODS
And now, the story of “Into the Woods”, the re-imagining of famous fairy tales by James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim, directed by Rob Marshall.
DVD, BLU-RAY & STREAMING – I AM SANTA CLAUS
In the case of “I Am Santa Claus”, a doc following a year in the life of real-beard Santa Clauses, the diversity and eccentricities of the men profiled make the film a winner.
MOVIE REVIEW – THE BABADOOK
Kent’s film, as with so many films of this genre, does have noticeable influences, but in no way shape or form does it ever become a pale imitation.
RANDOM MOVIE REVIEW – SIN CITY
The first review in a new column where Brendan Fleming arbitrarily looks at a film on DVD & Blu-Ray: “Life in the world of Sin City is not like life anywhere else. At least I hope not. It seems that all the inhabitants here lost their moral compass some time ago, and have no interest in finding it.”
MOVIE REVIEW – THE LOOKALIKE
Thirty minutes into the film I actually said out loud “I love this film and I love everyone in it!”
DVD, BLU-RAY & STREAMING – STRETCH
Joe Carnahan’s finest film. A biting satire of everything wrong with L.A. and its ugly underbelly.
INDIE REPORT – IRA AND ALLISON’S MURDER MYSTERY
This independent film utilizes an incredible amount of ingenuity and the outcome is a whirling ride in the vein of a live murder mystery stage show.
DVD, BLU-RAY & STREAMING – WITCHING AND BITCHING
“Witching and Bitching” comes to us just in time for Halloween. It starts off small and frenetic, and soon becomes giant in scope in its visual flair and hyperkinetic style.
INDIE REPORT – DEVIL’S MILE
“Devil’s Mile” is inventive, well-crafted and innovative (unlike the idiots who are running the PC game platform, Steam (by the Valve Corporation)).
DVD, BLU-RAY & STREAMING – MOTIVATIONAL GROWTH
The ride genuinely makes you uncomfortable from turn to turn but elates you in between.
MOVIE REVIEW – BOYHOOD
I’m probably late to the game, but that does not prevent me from singing the praises of the best film (so far) of 2014.