Tag Archives: The Dark Knight Rises

July 17, 2012

Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan’s Hope: Superheroes, and comics, and fanatics… OH MY!

By David Budo

Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan’s Hope is available on Blu Ray + DVD Combo on July 10th. Courtesy of eOne Media


Let’s face it, when you hear about a comic book convention the first thing that comes to mind are socially inept guys who never leave their basements. These thoughts must go into overdrive for Comic-Con, the world’s largest comic book and popular arts convention in the world. What we don’t think about is the art, passion and fun that can be had in this multi-faceted gathering. Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan’s Hope takes us behind the scenes to view the lives of different attendees and how this great event affects them.

Joss Whedon, Kevin Smith, Harry Knowles, the father of Marvel Comics Stan Lee, and a host of artists, actors and enthusiasts give us a look at different aspects that encompass the 43 year old extravaganza by focusing on a handful of visitors.

Director Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me) delivers the event in all of its glory, and intersperses intimate interviews with a variety of industry professionals.

To accompany the beautifully shot feature, the Blu Ray + DVD combo pack holds a few tantalizing special features. To start, Morgan Spurlock takes you behind the scenes into what led up to the conceptualizing of the documentary. Next are a set of Deleted Scenes that are interesting however varying in volume, so keep your remote handy. Last, but not least, are a series of intimate interviews with Joss Whedon, Stan Lee, Kevin Smith, Ellen Page, Harry Knowles and many more. Definitely worth checking out!

Bottom Line: As a fan of Comic-Con or comics in general, this is an absolute must see! If you’re unfamiliar with the art form, this is an eye-opening look at a world you’ll be unexpectedly drawn into.

Movie Grade A-
Blu Ray Grade A-

Runtime: 86 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1

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March 20, 2012

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy: Some goodies for fans in this home release

By David Budo

Gary Oldman stars in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. Courtesy of Entertainment One


The Academy Awards have long been criticized for their pretentious selections of top films in cinema. This year, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy received three nominations from the Academy, including Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role, further warranting these criticisms.

This movie is an adaptation of John le Carré’s novel and tells the story of a British Secret Service (MI6) mole hunt. To be frank, this is one of the least interesting movies to involve any level of spy operation. The characters are highly underdeveloped and emotionally disconnected from the audience, while the story is riddled with lack-luster motivation.

Gary Oldman’s (The Dark Knight) performance is nothing more than a straight-faced intellectual from beginning to end, making the Oscar nomination and tremendous praise absolutely baffling. The best performance comes from Benedict Cumberbatch, who excellently portrays the young spy trying to cope with a great deal of stress.

Fortunately, for the numerous fans of the movie, the Blu Ray + DVD combo home release contains a decent set of bonus features for you to dive into. The bonus features include five deleted scenes, a thirteen minute featurette Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy: First Look, and a full length audio commentary with director Thomas Alfredson and Gary Oldman. Both the featurette and commentary provide an interesting background on the production, while the deleted scenes, if you’re anything like me, may put you to sleep.

Bottom Line: If you’re not a fan or aren’t looking to cure your insomnia, keep your distance from this movie.

Release Date: March 20, 2012

Movie Grade: C
Blu Ray/DVD Grade: B+

Runtime: 128 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1

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February 14, 2012

This Means War: Making date night a barrel of laughs

By David Budo

Tom Hardy, Reese Witherspoon, and Chris Pine battle it out in This Means War. In theatres everywhere February 14.



Do you find it difficult to sit through a movie that leans heavily toward one gender’s enjoyment? This Means War attempts to balance the romantic comedy genre by mixing it with action.

It’s an age old premise – Two men fall for the same woman and wreak havoc on each other to win her affections. Spice it up with super CIA operatives as the male leads and the plot sizzles.

Chris Pine (Star Trek), Tom Hardy (Inception), and Reese Witherspoon (Legally Blonde) keep things light with a good sense of comedic chemistry and romantic harmony. However, nobody tickled my funny bone like Chelsea Handler, who stole every scene she was in.

The characters are somewhat one-dimensional, but they’re engaging and at times felt real – Something unexpected from this type of film.

McG (Terminator Salvation, Charlie’s Angels) obviously wasn’t going for realism in his direction presenting the CIA as a light-hearted parody of the actual organization. He balanced the story well and allowed screen time for the each character in the love triangle to connect with the audience.

Clearly the goal was to provide gobs of entertainment and not take home an Oscar statuette.

Bottom Line: This is a perfectly timed, bang-for-your-buck date movie. Saint Valentine would be proud.

Grade B

Runtime: 98 minutes

IMAX: No

3D: No

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , , , , , , , | posted in Big Screen Reviews, February 2012

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