DVDschlock

review: 21 (Blu-ray)

noreply@blogger.com (DVD Schlockmeister) — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 03:24:00 +0000

Sony // Buy from Amazon.com

Ben Campbell (Sturgess) is a shy, brilliant MIT student who finds a way to pay for medical school through his skill at playing cards. He is recruited to join a group of the school's most gifted students who head to Vegas every weekend armed with fake identities and the know-how to turn the blackjack odds in their favor. With unorthodox math professor Micky Rosa (Spacey) leading the way, they've figured out a way to crack the code by counting cards and employing an intricate system of signals. Seduced by the money, the Vegas lifestyle, and his smart and sexy teammate, Jill Taylor (Bosworth), Ben begins to push the limits. Though counting cards isn't illegal, the stakes are high, and the challenge becomes not only to keep the numbers straight, but to stay one step ahead of the casino's menacing enforcer, Cole Williams (Fishburne).

I'd read about the MIT students who managed to take some Vegas casinos for a lot o' cash with their mathematical intelligencia, and now we have Hollywood's (very polished) telling of the tale. No doubt some massive liberties were taken with the story/characters/outcome, but even still, the film is just pure popcorn entertainment - sit back, enjoy a well-shot, well-made film and disappear into the images on the screen for a couple hours (you could definitely do worse.)

Not sure what the appeal for Kevin Spacey or Laurence Fishburn was to roll their talents into this one, but I suppose everyone has to pay a mortgage (or 7...) As expected, they're both solid in their respective roles, and the primary cast - a collection of young folk that try to put an uber-cool sheen on their brilliant MIT intellect - are also well-acted and delivered. Look - again, this isn't "There Will Be Blood" - it's about a bunch of kids making crazy money in casinos, so don't expect a Shakespearean tale. What you do get is exactly what you'd hope for: a fun, entertainming movie.

Enjoy!

Video
A truly gorgeous-looking high def film, the bright lights of Vegas will light up your entire living room. Apparently shot on digital (rather than 35mm), this is a pristine-looking film, with (obviously) zero defects.

Audio
The Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround mix is impressive, kicking into high gear during the action-packed scenes and delivering a booming electronic soundtrack.

Extras

audio commentary w/ director & producers

"The Advantage Player" featurette on blackjack

"A Complete Film Journal" making-of featurette

"A Tour of the Good Life" featurette on production design

virtual blackjack game

trailers

Closing Thoughts
Solid piece of cinematic entertainment + decent selection of extras = nice bit o' entertainment for an evening

review: 305

noreply@blogger.com (DVD Schlockmeister) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 20:08:00 +0000

Allumination Filmworks // Buy from Amazon.com

After 300 There Were 5. This is the not so legendary tale of the five somewhat brave Spartans who didn't go to Thermopylae but instead were assigned to guard the secret goat path and ran away at the first sign of trouble. They were the laughing stock of the entire Spartan army. All they had to do was guard a lousy goat path. And they failed. Claudius Darryl Demetrius the Blind Shazaam and Testicleese must embark on a hero's journey to redeem themselves and become true warriors armed with only a sharpened carrot a rolling pin and an incredible sense of guilt. Smartly funny and based entirely on historical fact (allegedly) 305 proves that even the biggest losers get lucky sometimes.

It's interesting to compare "305" to "Meet the Spartans" - the latter is a truly unfunny, painful attempt to be funny, while the former is actually quite inspired, damn funny and a solid piece of entertainment.

Apparently based on a short film posted to YouTube shortly after "300" hit theaters (click here to view), the indie filmmaking twins got some money thrown their way to turn their short into a feature length film, the result being this very DVD that I'm reviewing!

I have to say: this is a really funny movie. More often than not, truly independent comedies aren't altogether that funny, but are more admirable in their attempts to be humorous than actually being drop-dead funny. Not the case with this one - it delivers the goods and will have you laughing throughout. Plus, I have to say, this is some impressive filmmaking, with green screen special effects that literally (and surprisingly) rival those in "300" itself. Damn impressive.

Well worth your time, seek this one out - you won't be disappointed.

Video
A solid 16x9 anamorphic widescreen transfer delivers the film in all its stylized color palette glory...

Audio
The included Dolby 2.0 stereo mix is decent, but not fantastic. A bit of distortion, a bit of out-of-syncness, but overall okay.

Extras

2 audio commentaries: filmmakers & actors

deleted scenes

making-of featurette

original short that inspired the feature-length film

interviews w/ cast (in character)

behind-the-scenes footage of actors on the green screen

"on the road" featurette

visual effects featurette

Closing Thoughts
Hilarious indie gem + loads of extras = excellent comedic viewing!

review: TIL DEATH DO US PART

noreply@blogger.com (DVD Schlockmeister) — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:38:00 +0000

Navarre Corporation // Buy from Amazon.com

A series to die for. True life tales of wedded woe. Get out the confetti the wedding cake and the hearse. John Waters (Hairspray Serial Mom Pink Flamingos) stars as the Groom Reaper in Love You To Death the 13-episode half-hour anthology series featuring stories inspired by true crimes involving married couples whose once wedded bliss ends in murder. As presenter and narrator The Groom Reaper he brings his macabre sensibility and wry comedy to a series of dramatised stories which reveal the real life cases of ill-fated relationships what they did why they did it and how they covered it up. Recalling great anthology series like Alfred Hitchcock Presents and The Twilight Zone each episode of this dark edgy and unique series has a happy ending John Waters style with the guilty spouse getting caught in a way he/she never expected

The synopsis for this series says it all, and you know if Mr. John Waters ("The Groom Reaper" in this case) is involved, it's going to be slightly demented and hugely entertaining... and that it is. While this series would probably benefit from viewing over an extended period of time (6.5 hours of one spouse offing the other can get old after several back-to-back episodes), this is definitely a darkly humorous series, one that appeals to our morbid side.

As with any tv series, some episodes are better than others, but overall the entertainment factor holds strong throughout the 13 episodes. It is what it is, and if the summary above appeals to you, you'll like it, and if it doesn't it won't. It's as simple as that.

Video
Nice, clean, crisp 16x9 anamorphic widescreen transfer.

Audio
A Dolby stereo mix delivers an equally clean soundtrack for each episode.

Extras

interviews w/ Waters, creator & executive producers

episode introductions by John Waters

booklet

Closing Thoughts
Fun, morbid, entertainment + decent extras = worth a weekend's viewing

news: KRIS TINKLE & ULTIMATE FIGHTER JON FITCH

noreply@blogger.com (DVD Schlockmeister) — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 03:40:00 +0000

UFC FIGHTER JON FITCH TO DO LIVE INTERVIEW WITH COMEDIAN

Professional Mixed Martial Arts fighter Jon Fitch will be part of a live comedy talk show titled "Steel Cage Comedy Night" July 15 at the San Jose Improv. The first half of the show will feature stand up comedy and the second half will conclude with an interview of John Fitch done by Comedian Kristopher Tinkle. After the show there will be a meet and greet and a chance for autographs and photos.

The event will take place at 8:00 pm on Tuesday July 15.

Originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana but now fighting out of San Jose, Jon Fitch saw his star rise after it was announced he will fight in the main event for the UFC Welterweight title August 9th in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Fitch is riding a 16 fight win streak and has tied the UFC record of most consecutive wins set by legend Royce Gracie. The former Purdue wrestling captain still remains unknown to casual fans and a huge underdog to hard core fans.

Jon's opponent on the night of August 9th is George St. Pierre, one of the most popular stars in the sport. He has a reputation for not only winning fights, but doing it in a brutally convincing fashion every time.

"It's unfortunate critics are writing Jon off before the fight even starts. This fight is going to be much closer than people think. There is nothing more dangerous than a guy everyone underestimates and this show is the oppurtunity for all MMA fans in the Bay Area to come out get to know Fitch and let him know that we all have his back." says Tinkle. "This is a great chance to wave goodbye before our guy goes off to war, so to speak."

"The thing that I find interesting about Jon and about the fight is that he is the first to admit that he is not a naturally gifted athlete. He struggled early in his college wrestling career and again when he started his professional fighting career. This is a guy who, through hard work and a strong sense of self, has almost willed himself to be where he is at right now. It's going to be interesting to get to know how a person gets to that point.

Although never a performer, Fitch is excited about the show. "After watching Kris perform I knew that doing an interview with him would be a great chance to do something original" says Fitch. With all of the photo shoots and press that comes with headlining in the main event, the questions always seem to be the same to Fitch. "This is going to be far different from the usual line of questioning so my fans can get to know me better on a more personal level. It's going to be fun."

"This sport is still in it's infancy and I don't think in a few years these mma athletes are going to as accessible as they are right now." Tinkle continues, "There is not another professional sport today where a guy in Jon's position would be willing to go on stage and open up about everything in front of an audience. And many times can you say you got to hang out with the future UFC Welterweight Champion?"

Tickets can be purchased at www.improv.com and at the San Jose Improv box office.
All other inquiries can be emailed to steelcagecomedynight@yahoo.com.

Jon Fitch is a professional mixed martial artist with a record of 21 wins 2 loses 0 draws and 1 no contest. He is currently the number one contender to the UFC Welterweight Title.
For more information on Jon Fitch, visit: www.fitchfighter.com

Kris Tinkle is a comedian from San Francisco. He recently performed for the troops in Iraq as part of the USO Tour with David Alan Grier and can be heard on XM and Sirius Radio.
For more information on Kris Tinkle visit www.myspace.com/ktinkle

review: GANGS OF NEW YORK (Blu-ray)

noreply@blogger.com (DVD Schlockmeister) — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 03:25:00 +0000

Miramax // Buy from Amazon.com

GANGS OF NEW YORK chronicles a vivid period in New York City's history, when tensions among immigrant groups lead to a dramatic clash of cultures. After years of incarceration, Irish immigrant Amsterdam Vallon (DiCaprio) returns to lower Manhattan's lawless, corrupt Five Points Section seeking revenge against the rival gang leader Bill "The Butcher" (Day-Lewis) who killed his father. But before long, Amsterdam's personal vendetta becomes part of an erupting wave of full blown gang warfare that explodes out of the television screen with the high definition quality of Blu-ray.

Admittedly, this is one of those films that I admire, but would not say that I "like" - not for lack of effort or respect for the director or the cast. To the contrary, actually - despite the director and the cast, I just have never been able to really get into this film. Beautifully shot, incredible set and costume design, and Daniel Day-Lewis has one of the most memorable acting performances in recent times. However, I think it's Leo & Cameron who do it (in) for me - I just have a very difficult time taking any film seriously when both of those meatheads are part of it.

Forgetting their involvement for a moment, Scorcese truly has created a wonderous film here - you absolutely do feel taken back to the 19th century - it exudes authenticity. I find it almost difficult to watch some of the scenes - in particular, the uber-realistic fight sequences - as it's far too real for me (I prefer the comic book action sequences that come with Arnold or Jean-Claude action movies - somehow, the cartoony nature of those is far less stomach-churning and hyper-realistic.) That being said, it's a credit to the film and the filmmaker that these types of scenes are so intense - mission accomplished.

All in all, it's a very good film, and one I should like more than I do... were it not for a couple of the big name stars, I likely would, but a valiant effort nonetheless.

Video
Unbelievable - the 2.40:1 high def widescreen transfer is truly remarkable. Every single pixel on the screen, every pore, every speck of dust is visible and razor-sharp. Absolutely reference quality.

Audio
The uncompressed PCM surround mix is also phenomenal, boasting a rich, robust soundscape that makes a regular Dolby 5.1 mix sound like a tinny mono version.

Extras

audio commentary w/ Martin Scorcese

costume design featurette

set design featurette

"exploring the set" featurette

"history of the five points" featurette

"uncovering the real gangs of new york" discovery channel documentary

"luc sante introduction & five points vocabulary"

"five points study guide" featurette

trailers

Closing Thoughts
Well-crafted, mostly entertaining film + impressive array of extras = solid offering

review: BATMAN: THE MOVIE (Blu-ray)

noreply@blogger.com (DVD Schlockmeister) — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 20:06:00 +0000

Fox // Buy from Amazon.com

When Batman (Adam West) and Robin (Burt Ward) get a tip that Commodore Schmidlapp (Reginald Denny) is in danger aboard his yacht they launch a rescue mission. But the tip is a set-up by four of the most powerful villains ever who seek to defeat the Dynamic Duo once and for all! Armed with a dehydrator that can turn humans into dust the fearsome foursome intends to take over the world! Can the Caped Crusaders use their high-flying heroism and groovy gadgetry to declaw Catwoman (Lee Meriwether) ice the Penguin (Burgess Meredith) upstage the Joker (Cesar Romero) and stump the Riddler (Frank Gorshin) in time?

I know as a kid I was enamoured with the classic "Batman" tv series, loving how it was truly a comic book brought to life (completely with action-packed sound effects ON the screen!) Somewhere along the way I lost interest and stopped watching the reruns while flipping through the channels... and then Frank Miller and Tim Burton introduced me to entirely new envisionings of the bat man and I never looked back on the fun, frivolous, campy version of the tv series.

So, I never did watch "Batman: The Movie" - at least not until the fine folks @ Fox were fine enough to send a copy of the Blu-ray release for review. Popping a big bowl of corn, I hunkered down for all the 60s campiness I could muster, and much to my (pleasant) surprise, this movie not only holds up really well 40 years later (and in the face of multiple modern movie versions of Batman), but it's damn entertaining to boot!

Sure, it's cheesy, campy, and over the top - but that's exactly what makes it so much fun. It's not meant to be serious, and it sure as hell ain't deep and dark like modern Batman - this is painted-in-chalk-eyebrows Batman, with exploding sharks and bad guys with old-style robber eyemasks on.

What a hoot - I had a blast, you will too.

Video
Wow - this is really great looking film, especially considering it's now over 40 years old! Presented in a 1.85:1 widescreen high definition transfer, I am genuinely surprised and impressed at the cripsness of the picture - great job.

Audio
Equally impressive is the DTS HD 5.1 surround mix - the bam/krash/pow sound effects seemed to explode out from the screen, both visually and sonically!

Extras

audio commentary w/ Adam West & Burt Ward

look-back featurette

featurette on the Batmobile

photo galleries

audio comments from writer

isolated score track

trivia track

trailers

Closing Thoughts
Classic, fun campfest + LOADS of top-notch extras = shining example of how even the golden oldies can get a deluxe Blu-ray treatment!

review: IN THE LINE OF FIRE (Blu-ray)

noreply@blogger.com (DVD Schlockmeister) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 03:31:00 +0000

Sony // Buy from Amazon.com

In the Line of Fire showcases Clint Eastwood at his finest. In a performance that won universal acclaim, Eastwood stars as Frank Horrigan, a veteran Secret Service agent haunted by his failure to protect John F. Kennedy from assassination. Thirty years later, he gets a chance to redeem himself when a brilliant psychopath threatens to kill the current president and take Horrigan with him. Taunting him by phone and tantalizing him with clues, the assassin (John Malkovich) lures Horrigan into an electrifying battle of wits and will that only one man can survive.

I love Clint Eastwood films from the 90s - "In the Line of Fire," "Absolute Power" and "The Unforgiven" are 3 truly excellent films that all showcase Eastwood's ability to draw the viewer in via subtlety and story rather than overt action or hammy acting.

This particular film is an exceptionally well-crafted story, with a powerful mix of storytelling, acting and truly superb cinematography, all rolled together into a great film. The director manages to play the audience like a finely-tuned violon, plucking the emotional and intellectual strings like a true maestro, pulling us into the story in expert fashion.

Just a fantastic film, with an excellent cast - this is one I can watch repeatedly every year and never tire of.

Video
Despite being 15 years old, this film looks rock solid on high def Blu-ray. Presented in a 2.40:1 widescreen transfer, this is a great looking release with sharp detail and rich coloring throughout.

Audio
The Dolby TrueHD surround mix is also excellent, with crystal-clear dialogue and immersive sound effects that will tickle your eardrums.

Extras

audio commentary w/ director

4 featurettes (counterfeiting tactics, Secret Service, Secret Service in the film, special effects)

talent files

trailers & tv spots

Closing Thoughts
Truly excellent dramatic action + decent extras = great film finally available in high def!

review: POINT BREAK (Blu-ray)

noreply@blogger.com (DVD Schlockmeister) — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 18:19:00 +0000

Fox // Buy from Amazon.com

Young FBI agent Johnny Utah (Reeves) goes undercover at the suggestion of his partner (Gary Busey) to learn if a group of wild surfers is actually a gang of bank robbers. He soon comes under the dangerous spell of the surfers' charismatic leader Bodhi (Swyaze) a mystical mastermind who'll do absolutely anything for a thrill - and expects his followers to do the same.

I suppose it's possible that there are some kids reading this review who were born in the mid-80s or even early-90s who have never seen "Point Break" but if that's the case, don't even bother finishing reading this write-up - just go buy or rent it and regale yourself on a bad-ass pre-Matrix Keanue Reeves and see him go toe-to-toe with a surprisingly-tough Patrick Swayze.

The rest of this review will be written for the majority of folks who have seen the film, and likely love it's unabashed machismo - this flick is dripping with early-90s cool (even 2 of the Red Hot Chili Peppers have minor roles!) and is always a treat to enjoy. This is one of about 10 films that if I ever happen across while flipping through the channels that I'll end up watching right through to the end...

... so to be able to see it now on high def Blu-ray, looking as good (if not better) as that little movie theater in northern Canada that I first saw this film in over 15 years ago, well that just tickles my heart!

Video
The 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 high def transfer is solid, and undoubtedly the best this film has never looked. While admittedly lacking the crispness of a modern day film, this is still a strong transfer, and a great looking release, and easily tops the already-impressive special edition DVD release of a couple years back.

Audio
A remastered DTS-HD Lossless Master Audio 5.1 Surround mix is pretty darn fantastic, easily holding its own against any recent action flick.

Extras

one big featurette split out into multiple parts

deleted scenes

photo gallery

Closing Thoughts
Classic, kick-ass action flick + decent (if underwhelming) extras = worth picking up on Blu-ray

review: THE HAMMER

noreply@blogger.com (DVD Schlockmeister) — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 02:56:00 +0000

Weinstein Company/Genius Product // Buy from Amazon.com

Jerry Ferro's life is brought into focus on his 40th birthday and it's not a pretty picture. A once-promising amateur boxer - who quit so he wouldn't risk his perfect record of underachievement - Jerry has been knocking around from one job to another and spinning his wheels in an unsatisfying relationship. After sparring with an up-and-coming pro and throwing him a one-punch knockdown, Jerry reluctantly steps into the ring and despite an ass-kicking, decides it's time to make his return to competitive boxing and go for Olympic gold!

Adam Carolla is a fixture in my drive to work each morning, as I tune in to listen to him from 7:15 - 8:00 each day and more often than not I find myself howling with delight at the outlandish comments and antics that he unleashes on his co-hosts, his guests, or those brave few who call in. He's not a man who minces words, but there's clearly some intelligence behind his razor-sharp tongue, which of course makes for perfect drive-time radio.

Well, he's also an actor, and he put together a semi-autobiographical flick called "The Hammer" that graced theaters earlier this year... and I'm proud to say that this is one film that I actively sought out to support while it was IN theaters (driving all the way across town to the lone cineplex playing this gem.) I really enjoyed it - I knew I would, given my fondness for Carolla's wit and bravado, but what I didn't expect was the sincere, genuine charm that the film had.

It definitely captures the whole indie vibe, as this is definitely not a polished glossy-Hollywood production. Instead, it has heart, hutzpa and healthy doses of real-world believability (something you don't often find in films these days.) Thoroughly enjoyable, plenty funny, and heart-warming to boot, this one's a gem that you're bound to enjoy. Trust me.

Video
The anamorphic widescreen transfer delivers a decent presentation - clearly this is a low-budget indie flick (so don't expect razor-sharp visuals), but it's more than adequate.

Audio
The included Dolby Digital 5.1 surround mix is clean & solid throughout.

Extras

audio commentary w/ Carolla & screenwriter

outtakes

extended & deleted scenes

conversation w/ Adam & Ozzie

behind-the-scenes promos

photo gallery

trailers

Closing Thoughts
Indie film with heart + lots of entertaining extras = well worth checking out, whether you're looking for laughs or a bit of "Rudy"-style dramatics

review: VANTAGE POINT (Blu-ray)

noreply@blogger.com (DVD Schlockmeister) — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 22:05:00 +0000

Sony // Buy from Amazon.com

During an historic counter-terrorism summit in Spain, the President of the United States is struck down by an assassin's bullet. Eight strangers have a perfect view of the kill, but what did they really see? As the minutes leading up to the fatal shot are replayed through the eyes of each eyewitness, the reality of the assassination takes shape. But just when you think you know the answer, the shattering final truth is revealed. Vantage Point is a mind-bending political action-thriller!

I recall seeing the trailer for this film in the theater at the beginning of the year and thinking to myself, "Damn, that is going to be a kick-ass film." So, needless to say I was very excited to receive this one for review, and I couldn't get it into my Blu-ray player fast enough (literally no more than 7 minutes passed from delivery to me pressing play!)

The first 10-15 minutes were interesting - the movie kind of slipped you into the story sideways, unsuspecting-like, and admittedly I was struck by the choppy, wooden dialogue that Sigourney Weaver was stuck with. However, once the format of the movie took hold (same sequence of events repeated over & over, each time from the perspective, or "vantage point," of a different character), I found myself engrossed and enjoying the ride.

Now, I do find irony in that it's a great story & premise, but with weak writing and character development, but the action and "whodunnit?" aspects are just so damn engaging that I found myself able to overlook those cerebral failings and instead just enjoy a damn fine action flick.

And so you should you!

Video
Presented in a 2.35:1 widescreen aspect ratio, the 1080p high def transfer for this film is outstanding, delivering razor-sharp detail that is jaw-droppingly clean & crisp. This is how good high def was meant to look!

Audio
The included Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround mix is also fantastic, with full use of the surround set up and effects that seem to literally transport you into the middle of the action.

Extras

audio commentary w/ director

"Vantage Viewere" GPS Tracker" interactive mode vider

"An Inside Perspective" featurette

"Plotting an Assassination" featurette

"Coordinating Chaos: Stunts" featurette

outtakes

trailer

Closing Thoughts
Well-crafted, highly entertaining action fare + nice selection of extras = solid evening's entertainment

review: HEAVY METAL IN BAGHDAD

noreply@blogger.com (DVD Schlockmeister) — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 19:07:00 +0000

Arts Alliance America // Buy from Amazon.com

In the late summer of 2006 in the middle of the insurgency filmmakers Eddy Moretti and Suroosh Alvi traveled to Baghdad to meet and interview the only heavy metal band in Iraq Acrassicauda. "Heavy Metal in Baghdad" is the story of the band and its members young Iraqis whose lives have been distorted and displaced by years of continual warfare in their homeland. The filmmakers have collected glimpses into the struggles of Acrassicauda as they try to stay together and stay alive. Their struggle is the untold story of the hopes and dreams of an entire generation of young Iraqis.

Admittedly, I was expecting a documentary about a heavy metal band - apparently the only one (not a huge surprise) in Iraq - but what I got instead is a rivetting, powerful look beyond the clips we've been watching for years on the news to see the full measure of the toll that the Iraq War has had on the Iraqi people.

Not at all a political film, but instead a documentary about humanity, the focus on a heavy metal band is just the focus (albeit an entertaining & novel one) that the camera turns to in the few years the film covers... To see the evolution/changes/bleakness of the band members is absolutely engrossing - the novelty of heavy metal in the Middle East quickly fades to the stark reality of their existense... and it's not a pretty one.

Truly amazing filmmaking, well worth checking out.

Video
Presented in a 16x9 anamorphic widescreen transfer, we were provided with a screener that seemed to be of high quality. Obviously a low-budget documentary, you get the varying grain/lighting/focus issues you might expect, but nothing that detraccts from the film.

Audio
Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo mix is clean & solid throughout.

Extras

epilogue documentary

deleted scenes

performance footage

and more...

but none that we could watch, as the screener did not include any of these...

Closing Thoughts
Fascinating documentary that explores a completely new side to the whole Iraq conflict

review: SO I MARRIED AN AXE MURDERER (Blu-ray)

noreply@blogger.com (DVD Schlockmeister) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 03:49:00 +0000

Sony // Buy from Amazon.com

Poet Charlie Mackenzie (Myers) may find romance in sonnets and odes, but love is nowhere to be found in his real life. Overly-critical and paranoid in all of his relationships, Charlie deems small quirks to be catastrophic flaws and justifies breaking up with his current girlfriend because she "smells like soup." His mother (Fricker), father (Myers) and best friend Tony (LaPaglia) shake their heads, wondering if he will ever find true love with his neurotic tendencies. But when he stumbles upon the love of his life in a butcher shop, Charlie thinks that all his stars have finally aligned. She is perfect, except for the small nagging suspicion Charlie has that his dream girl is actually a serial killer...

I'm not sure when I last sat down to watch this film, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's been 7 or 8 years at least. Back then, Mike Myers the zany Canuck from SNL who brought us "Wayne's World"... and now he's "Austin Powers" and the soon-to-debut "Love Guru"...

Long before Myers descended into crazy, kooky characters (and I don't mean that entirely disparigingly, as I thought the first "Austin Powers" was brilliant), he was just a clean-cut comedian looking to branch out from the "party on" role into some roles with substance.... enter "So I Married An Axe Murderer".

Myers is the straight man in this one (aside from his hilarious role as his own father in the film), and this is a dark comedy along the lines of "Cable Guy" (an unheralded gem, in my opinion.) This is not the slapstick comedy of "Austin Powers" but a bit more intelligent/cerebral comedy, with tinges of darkness to it.

I really enjoyed it when sitting down to watch for this review and was surprised at how well it held up. Not sure if my brain was sufficiently developed to appreciate all the comedy that's included in this one, but my brain of 2008 definitely can, so it gets a big thumbs up.

Video
The film is given a 1.85:1 high def transfer that looks pretty darn good. It's still a low(ish)-budget comedy from the '90s, so don't expect THX-quality here, but it's undoubtedly better than it's evern looked on home video before!

Audio
The Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround mix is excellent, perfectly delivering the dialogue and (surprisingly full) soundtrack.

Extras
Even though it's billed as a "Special Edition" the only extra is a trailer for "Men in Black" on Blu-ray.... (wtf?!)

Closing Thoughts
Solidly fun comedy (before Myers started going gonzo with characters) + ZERO extras = worth revisiting (if, like me, you hadn't seen this one in several years)

review: LIVELIHOOD

noreply@blogger.com (DVD Schlockmeister) — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 20:04:00 +0000

37.5 Productions // Buy online

The lead singer of an 80's rock band, a corporate lackey, and an evil mother in-law all die unexpectedly in a bizarre series of events. They come back to life, hoping to pick up where they left off before they died, but are stymied in their efforts by prejudice, long hidden secrets, and the general inconvenience of being dead.

Without a doubt, DVDschlock.com was established first & foremost to provide a forum for showcasing independent film, especially those of the b-movie variety. As such, it's a pleasure & a treat to be able to receive, watch, review & promote the truly well-done "Livelihood."

Admittedly, you never know what you're going to get when someone sends in an indie zombie flick for review - as someone who has created his own (uber-low-budget) zombie romp, I know firsthand how varied the results can be. Thankfully, "Livelihood" manages to leave behind the usual trappings of the genre and instead craft a witty, hilarious and just plain fun twist on a crowded genre.

With solid acting, great production values, nice special effects and razor-sharp writing (with a wit and intelligence that is probably second to none when compared to any indie flicks I've seen), "Livelihood" was a treat to behold and is definitely worth seeking out to watch. Time to support local indie filmmaking folks - this one is worth it!

Video
Presented in a 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer, this digital video film is rock-solid in the visual department, with strong detail & coloring throughout.

Audio
The included Dolby Digital stereo mix is clean & clear throughout.

Extras

audio commentary w/ producers

audio commentary w/ cast

deleted scenes

outtakes

"MacGyver DIY Filmmaking" featurette

"The Real Billy Jump Band" featurette

Closing Thoughts
Very original, hilarious twist on the indie zombie genre + loads of entertaining extras = definitely recommended!

review: OTIS

noreply@blogger.com (DVD Schlockmeister) — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 19:11:00 +0000

Warner // Buy from Amazon.com

OTIS is a story of suburban America gone haywire. In the midst of a serial abductor/killer's rampage, a beautiful young teen, Riley Lawson (Ashley Johnson), goes missing. When her desperate parents, Will and Kate (Daniel Stern and Illeana Douglas), are contacted by her kidnapper, an insufferable FBI Special Agent (Jere Burns) takes charge of the case.

But, from deep within the psychopathic subterranean world created by Otis (Bostin Christopher), Riley turns the tables on her tormentor, manages to escape and to contact her parents. Fed up with the tragi-comic inability of the FBI to find their girl, Will, Kate, and Riley's brother, Reed (Jared Kusnitz) decide to take matters - and justice - into their own hands. But when Otis's brother, Elmo (Kevin Pollak), shows up unexpectedly, the Lawsons find themselves mired in one of the more unusual and macabre consequences of vigilantism.

Far from proclaiming 'Mission Accomplished,' the backed-in-a-corner Lawsons will further complicate their already deadly predicament with a surprising, unfortunate and frankly hilarious final choice.

After sitting through the very dark and very twisted horror comedy "Otis" I have to say that I am genuinely impressed - it's not often nowadays that a film comes along that breaks new ground or introduces a new vantage point that hasn't already been milked to death in other films. "Otis" does just that.

Whether you're looking for some deranged, psychopathic horror gore, or you want some absurd, groan-worthy comedy, "Otis" will deliver. As I'm much more the dark & twisted than the gory & disturbing, "Otis" manages to walk that fine line between the two, at least enough for me to enjoy without having to cover up my eyes.

Truly original, entertaining, funny & unsettling, "Otis" stands on its own as a genuinely fantastic achievement, both in terms of entertainment value but also breaking whole new ground. Nice job, good fun.

Video
The film is presented in a 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer tht appears to be pretty decent, with nice coloring, but the overall softness of the presentation was noticeable (intentional?)

Audio
Good, solid Dolby 5.1 surround mix delivers the audio goods.

Extras

audio commentary w/ director & writer

deleted & alternate scenes

"The Twisted World of Otis" featurette

"Otis Home Movie: Suite 16" movies

trailers

Closing Thoughts
Twisted, twisted comedy + nice assortment of extras = sick fun for those of the right mindset!

review: MEET THE SPARTANS (Blu-ray)

noreply@blogger.com (DVD Schlockmeister) — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 16:05:00 +0000

Fox // Buy from Amazon.com

History has never been so... hysterical! Prepare to fight for honor fight for glory and fight back tears of laughter watching this gut-busting spoof comedy that skewers pop culture's biggest icons.In Meet the Spartans the heroic Leonidas armed with nothing but leather underwear and a cape leads a ragtag group of 13 - count'em 13! - warriors to defend their homeland against the invading Persians whose ranks include Ghost Rider Rocky Balboa the Transformers and a hunchbacked Paris Hilton.You won't find a funnier Greek war film even if you live to see 300!

Forgive me Fox, for I'm a huge fan of most of your Blu-ray releases... but even my warm, loving, accepting heart could not take more than a 1/2 hour of the trainwreck that is "Meet the Spartans." Unsettling and unfunny on so many levels, this one made me weep in agony until I lept from my couch and flung it from the warm embrace of my PS3, never to darken it's disc slot again.

Begone, ye abomination, for thine is the stuff of nightmares. *shudder*

Video
Despite the utter abomination that this film is, the picture quality is fantastic, delivered via a stunning 1080p 1.85:1 widescreen transfer. Gorgeous to behold, but will turn your brain into mush.

Audio
As with all of their recent Blu-ray releases, Fox delivers another kick-ass DTS-HD MA 5.1 sound mix for this film that really harnesses the power of lossless audio and will shake your surrounds in magical fashion.

Extras

audio commentary w/ directors & cast

"Know Your Spartans Pop Culture" trivia game

"Meet the Spartans: The Music" shortcuts

"Prepare for Thrusting" featurette on cast workouts & training

"Tour the Set with Ike Barinholtz" featurette

"Celebrity Kick-Off Game" game

"Super Pit of Death Ultimate Tactical Battle Challenge" game

pop-up trivia track

trailers

Closing Thoughts
Painful, mind-numbing, unfunny (non)comedy + lots of (middling) extras = skip it skip it skip it

review: 80sTees "Anchorman" t-shirts

noreply@blogger.com (DVD Schlockmeister) — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 01:47:00 +0000

Buy from 80sTees.com

This exclusive Anchorman t-shirt brings us back to the scene where Ron Burgundy is walking down a sidewalk with a carton of milk on a hot day. As he walks he mutters to himself, "It's so damn hot. Milk was a bad choice". The movie logo is printed on the left sleeve.

"Anchorman: Legend of Ron Burgundy" is one of those films that gets better with each beer consumed, and has some of the most quotable, stomach-clutchingly funny lines ever uttered in any film ever made ("Uggghhh - it smells like bigfoot's dick!") My favorite online clothing store, 80sTees.com, has created some kick-ass shirts based off of this film, and they were kind enough to send us 2 of them to try on, model around, and review on the mighty DVDschlock.com.

The first is a very funky, retro-styled brown shirt, with an illustration of spilled milk, and the classic quote: "It's so damn hot. Milk was a bad choice." Funny, cool, and eye-catching. Just like me.

The second is a nice, clean, double-sided white t-shirt, with the station call letters on the front (KVWN), and the "Panda Watch: Day 46" graphic on the back. Hilarious.

How do they look?
Freakin' fantastic. The shade of brown used on the "milk" shirt is unique and will stand out in your closet and on the street, and the double-sided white "station" shirt pops with color.

How do they feel?
Both shirts are made of light material that stretches and breathes, so even on a hot day you're comfortable, and damn cool looking.

Closing Thoughts
Love the shirts, love 80sTees.com - who doesn't want cool shirts of their very own? Head on over to their site and peruse the offerings!

review: JUMPER (Blu-ray)

noreply@blogger.com (DVD Schlockmeister) — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 22:57:00 +0000

Fox // Buy from Amazon.com

David is a Jumper who can teleport himself anywhere in the world which creates a fun and exciting life. But things turn deadly when David finds himself pursued by a secret organization sworn to kill Jumpers. Forming an uneasy alliance with another Jumper he becomes a player in a war that has been raging for thousands of years.

Despite the fact that the wooden actor who is Anakin has the lead role, the trailers and storyline for "Jumper" really intrigued me, and I couldn't wait to check this out for review when the shiny Blu-ray version arrived on my doorstep. I knew it would be pretty fluffy and light on substance, but was hoping that it would more than make up for this with on-screen eyecandy and just plain fun entertainment.

That it definitely did.

A beautiful shot film, with decent acting, amazing visuals and some kick-ass special effects, I really enjoyed "Jumper" and was entertained from start to finish. It's a fun movie, an intriguing movie, and some great and very original action sequences that I don't think have ever been seen in film before (just in my head, but that's a story for another time.)

Plus, factor in that this release is packed with more featurettes than perhaps any other Blu-ray release I've reviewed, and I dare say that this might be Fox's best Blu-ray release thus far!

Video
The 2.35:1 1080p high def transfer is unbelievable - every frame is like a photograph, from the frozen pond in winter to the blazing deserts of Egypt, this is a damn good looking film and one that was made to be seen in Blu-ray!

Audio
The DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround mix is rock solid, mixing in dialogue, soundtrack and sound effects in a highly effective and immersive soundscape.

Extras

audio commentary w/ director, writer/producer & producer

"Jumpstart: David's Story" animated graphic novel

"Jumping Around the World" picture-in-picture feature

"Doug Liman's 'Jumper:' Uncensored"

"Making an Actor Jump" featurette

"Jumping from Novel to Film: The Past, Present and Future of 'Jumper'" featurette

deleted scenes

"Previz: Future Concepts" animated storyboards

digital copy of film for computers & iPods

Closing Thoughts
Big, unabashedly entertaining action-packed fun + TONS of extras = definitely recommended for an evening's entertainment!

review: SIGNS (Blu-ray)

noreply@blogger.com (DVD Schlockmeister) — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 17:35:00 +0000

Touchstone // Buy from Amazon.com

After captivating audiences with THE SIXTH SENSE and UNBREAKABLE writer/director M. Night Shyamalan created his next mind-blowing movie event: SIGNS -- now more tantalizing than ever on Blu-ray Disc! SIGNS is the gripping story of an ordinary family as they encounter the possibility that Earth is being invaded by creatures from another planet. When Graham Hess (Mel Gibson) and his family awaken to find a 500-foot crop circle in their backyard they're told extraterrestrials are responsible. As they watch with growing dread news reports tell of similar "signs" suddenly appearing all over the world! Don't even blink as razor-sharp high definition transports you to a new dimension of awe and terror. Jump out of your skin as the spectacularly enhanced audio quality intensifies every gasp heartbeat and otherworldly echo. Stir your sense and experience SIGNS as if for the very first time in Blu-ray High Definition!

There's probably not another director in modern times who has received so much adoration, and so much scorn, than Mr. M. Night Shyamalan. Breaking on the scene with "Six Sense" he kicked in the teeth of moviegoers everwhere, left them with scratched heads with "Unbreakable" (I'm still not sure about that one), and then brought "Close Encounters" to the farm with this film, his third, "Signs." He would go onto 2 more films that would receive scathing criticism (although I stand firm that "Lady in the Water" is his best film next to his first), so it's interesting to apprach & watch "Signs" with that knowledge, knowing that this might've been the peak of his rise to glory, and see if/how that colors your reception of the film.

There's no big plot stunners like in the first two films, although the ending (as expected) does bring everything full circle, as is Shyamalan's calling card now. But "Signs" is really just a good, intense, tension-filled film that carries the viewer through a myriad of emotions, contained within a relatively small cast and tight location setting, as Shyamalan plucks the viewer's emotional strings like a harpist, knowing just when and how to conjure up the right emotional response.

Video
Presented in a 1080p 1.85:1 widescreen transfer, the film looks very sharp and impressive. With only a couple scenes not as crisp as I otherwise might've expected, overall this is a very nice looking presentation, and is unequivocally better than the DVD version.

Audio
The PCM 5.1 surround mix is unbelievable, as Shymaalan uses the soundscape almost as another character in the film, managing to convey so much emotion and intensity with the enveloping mix.

Extras

making-of featurette

deleted scenes

multi-angle feature (of 2 scenes frilm film)

clip from Shyamalan's first alien movie (when he waas a kid)

trailers

Closing Thoughts
Enthralling, entertaining ride + impressive assortment of extras = well worth checking out

review: PATTON (Blu-ray)

noreply@blogger.com (DVD Schlockmeister) — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 02:56:00 +0000

Fox // Buy from Amazon.com

A critically acclaimed film that won a total of eight 1970 Academy Awards (Including Best Picture) Patton is a riveting portrait of one of the 20th century's greatest military geniuses. One of it's Oscars went to George Patton the only Allied general truly feared by the Nazis. Charismatic and Flamboyant Patton designed his own uniforms sported ivory-handled six-shooters and believed he was a warrior in past lives. He outmanuevered Rommel in Africa and after D-Day led his troops in an unstoppable campaign across Europe. But he was rebellious as well in sight and poignancy his own volatile personailty was one enemy he could never defeat.

As any regular reader of the mighty DVDschlock.com can tell you, I'm no fan of older movies (basically anything before 1980 is defined as "old" to me.) However, after sitting through my first-ever screening of "Patton" (on Blu-ray, no less), this film is one of few that gets a pass from my normal exclusion of pre-1980 films... It's a tour de force of filmmaking, rolling in amazing storytelling, gorgeous cinematography, phenomenal acting and historical fact woven through an engaging narrative, all of which mixes together to create a helluva good flick.

George C. Scott is just incredible in the title role, as he absolutely becomes Patton - he trancends acting and just "is"... and it's amazing to behold. I don't typically say things like that, as it makes me sound like a film snob (where's my black turtleneck and cafe au lait, damnit?), but it's true - the guy is damn impressive in the film, and even if the rest of it was shit (which it most definitely is not), he alone would be worth sitting through this. Thankfully, every aspect of the film is equal to his stellar performance, so this is just a truly excellent viewing experience, made all the more wonderful by the magic of Blu-ray.

Video
The high def 2.20:1 1080p transfer for this film is freakin' fantastic - admittedly, my hopes were not too high, given that the film is nearly 40 years old... but holy cripes does this look good! Razor-sharp detail, lush coloring, not a single defect - I am impressed!

Audio
The uncompressed DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround sound mix is solid, but not as impressive as the visuals (esp. with the noticable hiss that appears fairly regularly throughout the film.)

Extras

introduction from Francis Ford Coppola

audio commentary w/ Coppola

3 documentaries: History Through the Lens: Patton: A Rebel Revisited; Patton's Ghost Corps; Making of Patton

still galleries

historical essay track

trailer

Closing Thoughts
True classic film + enormous assortment of extras = fantastic Blu-ray release from the fine folks @ Fox!

review: WORK SERIES: MUSICIAN

noreply@blogger.com (DVD Schlockmeister) — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 20:07:00 +0000

Facets // Buy from Amazon.com

A cinema verite look at the everyday life and especially work of avant-garde jazz musician Ken Vandermark. From his Chicago basement studio to the stage Vandermark explains his passion for creating challenging relevant music while also making rent. Musician is the second in the Work series a set of independent documentaries designed to create an on-going record of the American worker.

I've recently become quite interested in documentaries (perhaps a bit of sanity amongst my penchant for campy b-movies), and the synopsis for this film tickled the fancy of something inside my head. There's something so fascinating and inspiring about someone who is wholly dedicated to whatever their passion is (in this case, improvisational jazz), and to be able to peek into their lives and see the determination they chase their lifedream is fascinating.

Ken Vandermark is a machine - this guy lives, eats & breaths music, and that point is made crystal clear in a very soft & subtle fashion by the filmmakers - they don't beat you over the head with trite narration or ego-stroking reminiscing. Instead, you get a fly-on-the-wall documentary that goes along for the ride, from the lonely writing process in the basement to the packed theater performance with the sax squealin'...

A brisk 60 minutes, but entertaining from start to finish - definitely recommended.

Video
The widescreen transfer is nice and clean from start to finish - creative documentary filmmaking makes for some creative liberties with the framing of shots and zoom, but all work towards the overall presentation of the film.

Audio
Dolby Digital mix is solid throughout, delivering both the discussions and the music in fine form.

Extras

deleted scenes & performances

essay by jazz legend Peter Brotzmann

trailers

Closing Thoughts
Fascinating, mesmerizing glimpse into one's man creative journey

fun stuff: Crazy faces & noises

noreply@blogger.com (DVD Schlockmeister) — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 21:47:00 +0000

Don't even know what to say. Seeing is believing.

review: NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (40th ANNIVERSARY EDITION)

noreply@blogger.com (DVD Schlockmeister) — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 02:32:00 +0000

Weinstein Company // Buy from Amazon.com

George A. Romero's Night of the Living Dead still sets the standard for all indie fright flicks. This 40th Anniversary Edition authorized by the director himself reanimates the landmark tale of five strangers who struggle desperately against hordes of the walking undead. Re-mastered and loaded with all-new Special Features.

It's amazing to me that this film (a) kicked off the entire zombie genre which is so taken for granted nowadays and (b) is a damn good and damn entertaining flick, even 40 years later. Despite its age, despite its low-budget nature, despite it's black & white presentation, this is a surprisingly gripping and taut film, bringing about visceral reactions in viewers (including this one) no matter how jaded we think we are when it comes to horror flicks and zombie films.

This film has probably had a dozen different DVD releases over the years (since it fell into the public domain), but there's no question that this 40th Anniversary Edition is the premiere release. Even aside from the gorgeous and surprisingly-strong transfer, the amount of extras is first-rate and the documentary is worth the price of purchase alone.

Romero would go on to make probably the best zombie flick of all time with "Dawn of the Dead" but "Night" is where it all began... and it's a damn fine kick-off to a now-5-film series...

Video
Presented in Romero's preferred aspect ratio of 1.33:1, the film looks surprisingly strong, given its age and low-budget nature. I own one of the previous barebones DVD releases of this film, and the difference between that copy and this newly-remastered version is unbelievable.

Audio
False advertising on the packing aside (no promised Dolby 5.1 surround mix), the Dolby mono mix is perfect for this genre starter, delivering a clean, solid soundtrack.

Extras

audio commentary w/ Romero, writer & actors

audio commentary w/ producer, production manager & actors

"One for the Fire" feature-length documentary

"Speak of the Dead" Q&A sessio w/ Romero

"Ben Speaks" audio recording of Duane JOnes' last interview

photo gallery

trailer

script (PDF)

Closing Thoughts
Excellent, still-entertaining film + comprehensive collection of extras = highly recommended for those looking to see where it all began

review: GRIZZLY PARK

noreply@blogger.com (DVD Schlockmeister) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 18:19:00 +0000

Allumination FilmWorks // Buy from Amazon.com

As part of a new rehabilitation program eight unrepentant young adults must serve a week of community service in a remote California forest preserve known as Grizzly Park. Under the supervision of stalwart no-nonsense Ranger Bob (Glenn Morshower) this group of rotten-to-the-core bad apples is offered an opportunity to seek redemption on their journey through the woods. But while Ranger Bob seeks to provide both literal and spiritual guidance to the reluctant campers an escaped serial killer with an insatiable bloodlust has also found his way into the park. As it happens however he's not the only lethal hunter on the loose...

Ah, sweet, sweet, low-budget horror. How we adore monster movies with super-gory kills. Every once in awhile, a hidden gem such as "Grizzly Park" comes along that gets us hootin' & hollerin' as we enjoy the best that b-movies have to offer.

I really enjoyed this one - it definitely has its weaknesses, but overall it's a fun, entertaining flick that delivers all the campiness, forced humor, animalistic decapitations and arterial spray one could hope for. Surprisingly strong acting (esp. for such a low-budget genre flick) and a really nice-looking transfer give the film some added heft in the production quality department, raising the rating we bestow upon it to a solid "B" (for b-movie, of course.)

If you're looking to turn the brain off and enjoy some sweet, succulent schlock, "Grizzly Park" is just for you. Enjoy.

Video
A very strong 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer is presented here, with strong detail and rich coloring throughout. Very nice job.

Audio
A solid sound mix delivers the dialogue and sound effects in fine form.

Extras

audio commentary w/ writer/direcctor

"What is Grizzly Park?" featurette

"Filming a Real Bear" featurette

"You Reap What You Sow" featurette

"Brody Stand-in" featurette

trailer & previews

Closing Thoughts
Fun, gory low-budget entertainment + decent assortment of extras = exactly the type of movie DVDschlock.com was established to showcase!

Trailer

review: THE RECRUIT (Blu-ray)

noreply@blogger.com (DVD Schlockmeister) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 03:57:00 +0000

Touchstone // Buy from Amazon.com

Starring Academy Award winner Al Pacino and the always-electric Colin Farrell, The Recruit launches you on a thrill-ride of secrecy and deception in the CIA--now more riveting than ever before on Blu-ray. Watch as a shadowy world of secrets is illuminated in the bright, razor-sharp clarity of high definition. Feel your pulse race with every footstep, every gunshot, every deadly whisper - with spectacularly enhanced audio quality.

Whatever happened to Al Pacino... the man who was "Scarface" and the son of "The Godfather" is now a one-trick pony, delivering the same character in every one of his films (albeit with a surprising assortment of hair pieces - the one in use in "The Recruit" is a marvelous example of defying gravity, I have to say.) Colin Farrell I've learned not to expect too much from - I don't think he's ever truly impressed me, but always does the job of serving as the brooding, rough-edged, loveable hunk, no matter what the subject matter of the film may be.

"The Recruit" is really a color-by-numbers affair, with a plot "twist" you can see coming a mile away... yet you're entertained along the way, so even though you know where you're going, you enjoy looking out the window and taking in the view. Not especially riveting, not particularly well done, but solidly amusing, "The Recruit" does its job of entertaining for a couple hours. No complaints with that.

Video
The included 2.3:1 widescreen transfer is given a deluxe 1080p high def transfer that looks fantastic from start to finish. Great looking film, great looking transfer.

Audio
The PCM 5.1 surround mix is very strong, delivering an excellent soundscape that even pumps out some rumble via the sub.

Extras

audio commentary w/ director & Colin Farrell

deleted scenes

"Spy School: Inside the CIA Training Program" featurette

movie showcase (reference quality scenes from the movie)

Closing Thoughts
Easily-digestible entertainment + decent extras = solid night's entertainment

review: SEMI-PRO (Blu-ray)

noreply@blogger.com (DVD Schlockmeister) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 20:44:00 +0000

New Line Home Entertainment // Buy from Amazon.com

Will Ferrell, Woody Harrelson and André Benjamin (Four Brothers) star in this hilarious three-pointer of sports action, outrageous laughs and '70s groove! It's 1976 and the only thing sexier than Jackie Moon (Ferrell) is his incredible career. The owner, head coach and star player of the Flint Tropics - not to mention the smooth vocals behind hit single "Love Me Sexy" - is at the top of his game. But, when it appears the Tropics might not survive an NBA merger, Jackie vows to turn up the heat and lead his team to glory in the most hysterical comedy ever to put the funk back in the dunk!

Damn it breaks my heart to see the sad state of WIll Ferrell's movies these days. It doesn't seem like that long ago that he was the funniest person on SNL, banging the shit out of that cowbell in one of the truly epic skits from that series. "Old School" was pretty darned funny, but since then, vrrooooooooooooooommmmmmmmm (sound of an airplane crashing)... Weak entry after weak entry. Wanted to love "Elf" - was bored. Was sure "Anchorman" would be hilarious - only laughed during the supporting cast's scenes. "Stranger than Fiction"? Interesting, but not great. He keeps churning them out, and I continue to be underwhelmed with each one.

Sadly, that trend continues with "Semi-Pro" - and it's worth noting that I didn't even have my hopes up high for this one. At best, I was hoping for a mildly entertaining flick with some good yuks, that hopefully wouldn't suck too hard. Well, it didn't suck too hard, but it did softly suck. Yawn. Shame. Next.

Video
The 1080p high definition transfer was rock solid from start to finish, perfectly capturing and delivering an authentic 70s vibe.

Audio
Wow - a DTS HD Master Audio 7.1 surround mix is included here, which is truly overkill for a front-heavy comedy mix, but you won't catch me complaining - quality quality quality!

Extras

deleted & alternate scenes

"The Man Behind Semi-Pro" featurette

"Four Days in Flint" featurette

"Bill Walton Visits the Set" featurette

"A Short History of the ABA" featurette

"Recreating the American Basketball Association" featurette

"Flint Tropics Hot Talk with Dick Pepperfield" featurette

"Love Me Sexy: The Story Behidn the One-Hit Wonder" featurette

trailers

Closing Thoughts
Clunky, weak faux comedy + loads of extras = worth a rental, but set your expectations low