Archive for the ‘Celebrity Gossip’ Category

DVD Review: The American Revolution – One Nation’s Rise To Independence From The History Channel

Wednesday, December 26th, 2007

If you are interested in history, the American Revolution, or the history of wars, then The American Revolution is definitely a must-own.
The American Revolution: One Nation's Rise To Independence is a collection of ten documentaries that chronicle the war of independence beginning with the first rumblings that could be heard as early as the French and Indian War and concludes with the signing of the Treaty of Paris which secures American independence. The American Revolution:…

HD DVD Review: King Kong (1976)

Wednesday, December 26th, 2007

A look at this French import HD disc and a classic example of botched remakes.
Paramount’s 1976 edition of King Kong holds a special place in cinema history. The heavy marketing campaign, lack of faithfulness to the original material, and monkey suit special effects are all signs of a failure. This Kong does have its charms, but misses the mark on countless levels, landing it at the bottom of the three main Kong…

TV Review: New Backyardigans Movie Hits Nick Jr. January 14

Wednesday, December 26th, 2007

Tale of the Mighty Knights…
Maybe you're stuck babysitting that bratty kid down the block for five bucks an hour while your friends are at the school dance. Maybe you're trying to write your next novel and your kid just won't shut up. Either way, you're in need of a quick fix in order to save your mental sanity. Try turning on the Backyardigans' new movie…

Movie Review: There Will Be Blood

Wednesday, December 26th, 2007

Sprawling tale of the early years of the oil industry.
In the tradition of such great epic films such as Giant, Citizen Kane, and Elmer Gantry comes this unforgettable cinematic marvel, a turn of the century character study of an oil magnate, an evangelical preacher, and the people they influenced. Based on the 1927 novel Oil by Upton Sinclair, this film shows depicts the early years of the oil…

DVD Review: Beverly Hills 90210 – The Third Season

Tuesday, December 25th, 2007

“Donna Martin graduates! Donna Martin graduates!”
If only high school were indeed this glamorous. For the gang at West Beverly Hills High School, senior year beckons as they begin to prepare for their impending future while, of course, enjoying the luxuries and flesh at their disposal. Beginning with them savoring their final summer vacation and ending with them accepting their diplomas and…

Movie Review: Juno

Tuesday, December 25th, 2007

Starts off with a sputter but gradually picks up steam to close in a thunderous finish.
The key to embracing Juno is to harbor the anticipation of seeing real growth throughout. The titular character played by the brilliant Ellen Page is a whip-smart teenager who gets pregnant. She grows up by realizing how she is not as mature or as intelligent as she thinks she is and that her precocious observations and assumptions about the…

DVD Review: Walt Disney Treasures – Disneyland: Secrets, Stories and Magic

Tuesday, December 25th, 2007

This is a fascinating companion DVD set to the initial Walt Disney Treasures release, “Disneyland U.S.A.”
Disneyland U.S.A. was one of the initial releases of the Walt Disney Treasures DVD series back in 2001. The two-disc set contained "special historical broadcasts," such as "The Disneyland Story," the first episode of Walt Disney's Disneyland TV show that introduced the idea of the park to the public in 1954; "Dateline…

Movie Review: Walk Hard – The Dewey Cox Story

Tuesday, December 25th, 2007

John C. Reilly delivers a tour de force performance as one of rock’s biggest unsung legends.
The past couple of years have seen an unusual number of high-profile music biopics, notably Ray and Walk the Line. Both films garnered critical and popular acclaim and received multiple Oscar nominations.I enjoyed both, Ray for the strong performances, Walk the Line more for the music. The problem with both films is that when you condense into the…

Movie Review: Sweeney Todd – The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Monday, December 24th, 2007

A brilliant screen telling of the gory tragedy.
I have never had the pleasure of seeing a stage production of Sweeney Todd, something that will hopefully one day be corrected. My first exposure to the tale was in Jersey Girl, of all places, where one of the songs is performed at a school talent show. Now I am familiar with what Sweeney did, as well as the special ingredient in the meat pies….

Movie Review: Charlie Wilson’s War

Monday, December 24th, 2007

A breezy and intelligent political comedy about a man unrecognized for his efforts in bringing down the Soviets.
At a time when average citizens find it progressively hopeless to discuss the cause and effect of current American foreign policy, perhaps the approach of Mike Nichols’ Charlie Wilson’s War is the only way to keep people talking. Telling the true story of a behaviorally questionable Texan congressman with enough idealism and smarts to…