DVD/Blu-ray Reviews

Amongst the many memorable moments that occur during director Ridley Scott’s new film The Martian, is one particularly moving episode that perfectly illustrates that the director “gets it” and that his film has been constructed with loads of loving care and meticulous attention  ...

Like The King of Rock n’ Roll himself, Baz Luhrmann’s new film, deceptively titled Elvis (more on that later), is bold, brash, and over the top. This should come as no surprise as the Moulin Rouge! director – subscriber to the Auteur Theory of filmmaking – is known for his distinctive style and  ...

A large part of the fun and playfulness of the Toy Story films has always been the self-aware recognition that a human child’s playthings are inanimate objects that come to life when humans aren’t around. What a great bit that has always served the franchise well ...

Beginning with a pixelated Atari-like Universal logo, complete with the familiar sounding bleeps and squawks from that gaming system as it blips out the usually orchestrated Universal Studios theme music, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World announces its thunderously playful attitude as a sugary  ...

The first impression I get from writer/director Christos Nikou’s Apples is that it bears a strong resemblance to that of the films by fellow Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos. Blending deadpan, black comedy with a degree of tragedy, Nikou, like Lanthimos, is keen on showing the awkward  ...

On its surface, Where the Crawdads Sing appears to be a rather maudlin murder mystery wrapped within the sappy folds of a modern YA romance. But a calculated look beneath its mucky veneer reveals something much more compelling. Something much deeper than even its swampy setting  ...

Intelligent horror. Yes, such a thing actually exists. Granted, that’s not always what the hordes of hungry horror fans looking to fulfill their bloodlust want from the genre, but for those who like their spilled blood and severed body parts served with a touch a class, do I have a film for you! ...

D. W. Griffith’s The Birth of a Nation, a groundbreaking film that is quickly approaching its 100^th anniversary, is still – to this day - a controversial film igniting the fear and loathing that invites the gnashing of teeth and tearing of flesh ...

One of the most highly regarded science fiction films of the 1950s; this Gordon Douglass directed cautionary tale about a small township under siege by irradiated mutant ants has influenced countless filmmakers for generations. Remember the awesome egg ...

Exploitation fans rejoice!  Shout! Factory has seen fit to bring their ongoing Roger Corman Triple Feature DVD releases to the Blu-ray market. Their initial release is also one of their best-selling: The Women in Cages Collection. This triple feature...

Using the “found” footage style of The Blair Witch Project and countless movies since, Apollo 18 sets the record straight on why NASA never returned to the moon.  The movie, while familiar, should thrill gritty sci-fi lovers and anyone prone to ...

As inconsequential as it is, Jeremiah Chechik’s Benny & Joon remains a charming look at one young couple’s handling of love and separation anxiety.  With the opening music provided by the Scottish duo known as The Proclaimers, the mood and...

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for crude and sexual content, language, violence and some drug material.
Director: Adam McKay
Writer: Adam McKay & Chris Henchy
Cast: Will Ferrell; Mark Wahlberg; Eva Mendes
Genre: Action | Comedy
Memorable Movie Quote: "I am a real cop, working on a big case"
Release Date: August 6, 2010
DVD Release Date: Not yet announced.

MPAA Rating: R for sexual content, language and drug use.
Runtime: 90 mins.
Director: Miguel Arteta
Writer: Gustin Nash
Cast: Michael Cera; Portia Doubleday; Steve Buscemi
Tagline: Every "Revolution" Needs A Leader.
Genre: Comedy / Romance
Memorable Quote: "I say we let the kid do the dishes and you and I retire to the master bedroom."
Release Date: January 8, 2009
DVD Release Date: June 15, 2010.
Distributor: Dimension Films

Rated: R for language, some violent images and sexual content/nudity.
Runtime: 129 mins.
Director: Fernando Meirelles
Writer: John Le Carré (novel); Jeffrey Caine (screenplay)
Cast: Ralph Fiennes; Rachel Weisz; Pete Postlethwaite; Daniele Harford
Genre: Drama/Thriller
Studio: Focus Features
Official Site: theconstantgardener.com
Memorable Quote: "Big pharmaceuticals are right up there with the arms dealers."