On May 24th, Andrei Tarkovsky’s Russian sci-fi epic Solaris was released on DVD & Blu-ray, as part of the prestigious Criterion Collection. Originally released theatrically in 1972, the film follows the remaining residents of the Solaris space station who are experiencing a strange phenomena aboard their ship, that may be emanating from a mysterious planet.… Read More Criterion Release: Solaris
By John C. When all is said and done, there will be 27 sequels released this year, breaking the previous record of 24 in 2003. Even though they aren’t all directly following another film, that’s the number of movies coming out in 2011 that will be sold as part of a preexisting franchise or series. … Read More The Summer of Sequels
Released May 2011 Page count: 156 pages Size: 10” x 11” The Art of Kung Fu Panda 2 Written by Tracey Miller-Zarneke Foreword by Dustin Hoffman Published by Insight Editions http://www.insighteditions.com ___________________________________ The Art of Kung Fu Panda 2 Book Review By Erin V. Reading through this book, it dawned on me how Kung Fu… Read More Book Review: The Art of Kung Fu Panda 2
Kung Fu Panda 2 – A Paramount Pictures’ Release http://www.kungfupanda.com/ Release Date: May 26th, 2011 Rated PG for cartoon animation/action Running time: 90 minutes Jennifer Yuh Nelson (dir.) Jonathan Aibel (writer) Glenn Berger (writer) John Powell (music) Hans Zimmer (music) Jack Black as Po (voice) Angelina Jolie as Tigress (voice) Gary Oldman as Lord Shen (voice)… Read More Movie Review: Kung Fu Panda 2
The Hangover Part II – A Warner Bros. Pictures’ Release http://hangoverpart2.warnerbros.com/ Release Date: May 26th, 2011 Rated 18A for pervasive language, strong sexual content including graphic nudity, drug use and brief violent images Running time: 102 minutes Todd Phillips (dir.) Craig Mazin (writer) Scot Armstrong (writer) Todd Phillips (writer) Christophe Beck (music) Bradley Cooper as Phil… Read More Movie Review: The Hangover Part II
Today, eOne Films is releasing the breakout animated hit Gnomeo & Juliet on Blu-ray & DVD. Filled with witty references to Shakespeare and beautifully animated right here in Toronto, this is a strangely appealing and surprisingly entertaining film, that provides a fun diversion for those of all ages. We reviewed the film when it opened… Read More DVD/Blu-ray Release: Gnomeo & Juliet
Today, MGM Home Entertainment is releasing a 25th anniversary edition of Oliver Stone’s Platoon on Blu-ray. Starring Charlie Sheen in a “winning” performance as a young soldier fighting in the Vietnam war and rounded out by an excellent supporting cast, the film was inspired by Stone’s own experiences in the ‘nam. Brilliantly showing both the… Read More Blu-ray Release: Platoon
By John C. The 64th annual Cannes Film Festival came to a close over the weekend, with the jury headed by Robert De Niro awarding Terence Malick’s The Tree of Life the prestigious title of Palme d’Or. The Kid With a Bike and Once Upon a Time in Anatolia were in the midst of a two-way… Read More Cannes 2011: An Outside Look at this Year’s Film Festival
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides – A Walt Disney Pictures’ Release http://disney.com/pirates/ Release Date: May 20th, 2011 Rated PG for frightening scenes and violence Running time: 137 minutes Rob Marshall (dir.) Ted Elliott (screenplay) Terry Rossio (screenplay) Hans Zimmer (music) Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow Penélope Cruz as Angelica Geoffrey Rush as Barbossa… Read More Movie Review: Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
Released March 22nd, 2011 Page count: 72 pages Size: 8.25” x 5.25” Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides – The Visual Guide Published By Dorling Kindersley Foreword by Jerry Bruckheimer http://www.dk.com/ _________________________________________ Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides Visual Guide Book Review By Erin V. With the release today of the fourth… Read More Book Review: Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides – The Visual Guide
Today, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment is releasing 50th anniversary editions of two classics starring legendary movie stars, for the first time on Blu-ray. Both are beautifully packaged with 24 pages of trivia and photos, and come highly recommended. The Hustler: First up is The Hustler, starring Paul Newman. The story of Fast Eddie Felson,… Read More Blu-ray Release: The Hustler & The Commancheros
Daydream Nation – An eOne Films’ Release http://www.daydreamnationmovie.com/ DVD Release Date: May 17th, 2011 Rated 14A for sexual content and coarse languge Running time: 98 minutes Mike Goldbach (dir.) Mike Goldbach (writer) Ohad Benchetrit (music) Kat Dennings as Caroline Wexler Reece Thompson as Thurston Josh Lucas as Barry Anderson Andie MacDowell as Enid Goldberg Our… Read More DVD Review: Daydream Nation
By John C. Since the dawn of entertainment, there has been much debate as to what makes something funny. Why do certain things make audiences laugh and others miss their mark? The bigger question in Hollywood seems to be whether or not there is any one formula to effectively tickle the box office funny bone.… Read More “The Hangover” & “Bridesmaids:” A Look at Comparisons Between Modern Comedy
Bridesmaids – A Universal Pictures’ Release http://www.bridesmaidsmovie.com/ Release Date: May 13th, 2011 Rated 14A for coarse language, sexual content and crude content Running time: 125 minutes Paul Feig (dir.) Kristen Wiig (writer) Annie Mumolo (writer) Michael Andrews (music) Kristen Wiig as Annie Maya Rudolph as Lillian Rose Byrne as Helen Melissa McCarthy as Megan Chris… Read More Movie Review: Bridesmaids
The Illusionist – A Sony Pictures’ Release http://www.sonyclassics.com/theillusionist/ DVD Release Date: May 10th, 2011 Rated PG for thematic elements and smoking Running time: 80 minutes Sylvain Chomet (dir.) Jacques Tati (original screenplay) Sylvain Chomet (adaptation) Sylvain Chomet (music) Jean-Claude Donda as The Illusionist (voice) Eilidh Rankin as Alice (voice) Our reviews below: __________________________________________ The Illusionist… Read More DVD Review: The Illusionist
Le Concert (The Concert) – An eOne Films’ Release http://www.weinsteinco.com/#/film/the_concert DVD Release Date: May 10th, 2011 Rated 14A for coarse languge, not recommended for young children Running time: 123 minutes Radu Mihaileanu (dir.) Héctor Cabello Reyes (original story) Thierry Degrandi (original story) Armand Amar (music) Alexeï Guskov as Andrei Filipov Dmitri Nazarov as Sacha Grossman… Read More DVD Review: Le Concert (The Concert)
Blue Valentine – An Alliance Films’ Release http://www.bluevalentinemovie.com/ DVD Release Date: May 10th, 2011 Rated 18A for sexual content, coarse languge and nudity Running time: 112 minutes Derek Cianfrance (dir.) Derek Cianfrance (writer) Cami Delavigne (writer) Joey Curtis (writer) Grizzley Bear (music) Ryan Gosling as Dean Michelle Williams as Cindy Faith Wladyka as Frankie John… Read More DVD Review: Blue Valentine
By John C. The 18th annual Hot Docs Film Festival came to a close over the weekend, with Family Portrait in Black & White being named the best Canadian feature, Dragonslayer the best international, and the overrated Somewhere Between being voted by audiences as the best of fest. With the numerous fine films being screened,… Read More Hot Docs 2011: Final Thoughts on the Documentary Film Festival
By John C. As we reach the end of an exhausting week, it’s hard to believe that we are already at the final weekend of the 18th annual Hot Docs Film Festival. Between this past Thursday and Tuesday, I have published capsule reviews of a total of 12 films. Today we are in the homestretch… Read More Hot Docs 2011: Final Weekend, including 6 capsule reviews
Something Borrwed – A Warner Bros. Pictures’ Release http://somethingborrowedmovie.warnerbros.com/ Release Date: May 6th Rated PG for mature theme, language may offend Running time: 112 minutes Luke Greenfield (dir.) Jennie Snyder Urman (screenplay) Based on the novel Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin Alex Wurman (music) Ginnifer Goodwin as Rachel Kate Hudson as Darcy Colin Egglesfield as… Read More Movie Review: Something Borrowed
The Joy of Movies 