Author: Jason Zingale (Page 18 of 112)

Blu Tuesday: Midnight Special and More

June 21, 2016 / Jason Zingale

Every Tuesday, I review the newest Blu-ray releases and let you know whether they’re worth buying, renting or skipping, along with a breakdown of the included extras. If you see something you like, click on the cover art to purchase the Blu-ray from Amazon, and be sure to share each week’s column on social media with your friends.

“Midnight Special”

WHAT: On the run from the government, as well as religious zealots who covet his son Alton’s (Jaeden Lieberher) mysterious powers, Roy (Michael Shannon) enlists the help of his wife Sarah (Kirsten Dunst) and childhood friend Lucas (Joel Edgerton) to get the young boy to an undisclosed location on a specific date. He’s not sure why, other than that it will help Alton achieve his true purpose.

WHY: Director Jeff Nichols has a predilection for telling simple stories that focus heavily on character, but “Midnight Special” is almost too simple in execution, lacking the required substance to sustain its 112-minute runtime. Though the opening act is packed with tension and mystery, the story grinds to a halt in the middle as its characters become stuck in a holding pattern of sorts, only to eventually limp towards its disappointing conclusion. Nicholas has never been very good at sticking the landing, but “Midnight Special” contains his most uninspired ending yet. The movie is also mind-numbingly slow at times, weighed down by subplots that go nowhere and entire scenes where nothing happens. Fortunately, the acting is so good that it just barely manages to keep your interest, particularly Nichols regular Michael Shannon, Joel Edgerton and Adam Driver as an NSA agent helping to track down the fugitives. It’s a shame to see this much talent wasted on such a mediocre film, because while there was certainly a great movie within reach, “Midnight Special” stumbles too often to fulfil its potential.

EXTRAS: There are profiles on the five main characters and a making-of featurette.

Entertainment, Movie Reviews, Movies

Blu Tuesday new Blu-rays

Blu Tuesday: 10 Cloverfield Lane, Eddie the Eagle and More

June 14, 2016 / Jason Zingale

“10 Cloverfield Lane”

WHAT: After she’s blind-sided by a truck and knocked unconscious, Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) fears the worst when she wakes to find herself in a strange bunker. Her captor Howard (John Goodman) insists that he saved her from a chemical attack that has rendered the outside world uninhabitable, but while a fellow survivor (John Gallagher Jr.) is able to corroborate the story, Michelle can’t shake the feeling that Howard is still hiding something.

WHY: Audiences expecting a major connection to the 2008 found footage movie “Cloverfield” will undoubtedly be disappointed by Dan Trachtenberg’s debut film, but the J.J. Abrams-produced “blood relative” is still an extremely well-crafted thriller that doesn’t waste a single moment. It’s nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat stuff that’s heightened by the claustrophobic setting and nonstop tension. Essentially a three-handed chamber piece between Mary Elizabeth Winstead, John Goodman and John Gallagher Jr., “10 Cloverfield Lane” hinges on the performances of its cast. Thankfully, they’re all fantastic in their roles, particularly Goodman, who steals the show as the creepy, domineering Howard; it’s a deliciously wicked turn that will make your skin crawl. You’ve never seen the veteran actor quite like this before, but by casting him against type, it strengthens the overall mystery that is so essential to the movie’s success. Though the 11th-hour twist nearly undoes all that good work with its abrupt (and unnecessary) change in tone, “10 Cloverfield Lane” manages to deliver a riveting experience that’s even better than the film that inspired it.

EXTRAS: In addition to an audio commentary by director Dan Trachtenberg and producer J.J. Abrams, there’s a collection of production featurettes, a look back at “Cloverfield” and a tour of the film’s bunker.

FINAL VERDICT: RENT

“Eddie the Eagle”

WHAT: When he fails to make the final squad chosen to represent Great Britain at the 1988 Olympic Games in Calgary, downhill skier Eddie Edwards (Taron Egerton) switches focus to ski jumping when he learns that he only needs to qualify in order to compete. Though that’s easier said than done, Eddie defies all odds through sheer determination and the help of washed-up American champion Bronson Peary (Hugh Jackman).

WHY: Disney may be king of the underdog sports drama, but actor-turned-director Dexter Fletcher beats the studio at its own game with this inspirational true story that’s equal parts “Rudy” and “Cool Runnings.” Much like the characters in those films, Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards is such a larger-than-life personality – a misfit characterized by his Coke-bottle glasses and goofy underbite – that he’s difficult not to cheer on. Taron Egerton does an excellent job in the title role, perfectly capturing Eddie’s mannerisms and infectious optimism, while Hugh Jackman turns in a reliably charming performance as his fictitious coach. Peary isn’t the only fictional element in the film – not by a longshot – but in spite of the many liberties that the movie takes, it retains the spirit of Eddie’s story, which is just as important. Though it’s a pretty formulaic underdog tale that checks off all the usual sports movie clichés, “Eddie the Eagle” is nevertheless an enjoyable feel-good film that wears its heart (and humor) on its sleeve just like its charismatic subject.

EXTRAS: The Blu-ray release includes a three-part documentary about making the film.

FINAL VERDICT: RENT

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10 Cloverfield Lane Blu Tuesday new Blu-rays

Movie Review: “Warcraft”

June 9, 2016 / Jason Zingale

Travis Fimmel, Toby Kebbell, Paula Patton, Ben Foster, Dominic Cooper, Ben Schnetzer, Daniel Wu

Duncan Jones

Hollywood has a pretty awful track record with video game adaptations, so when it was announced that director Duncan Jones would be bringing the mega-popular “Warcraft” franchise to the big screen, many people were hopeful that he would finally break the curse. Sadly, it doesn’t even come close. Although there’s no question that Jones (a self-proclaimed fan of “World of Warcraft,” the massively multiplayer online RPG that boasted 12 million subscribers at the peak of its popularity) is a talented filmmaker, “Warcraft” is a disappointing misfire that swallowed up several years of his career. That’s time he could have spent making more original movies like “Moon” and “Source Code” instead of this sluggish and derivative fantasy flick.

The story begins in Draenor, the dying homeworld to a warrior race of orcs. Their leader, the evil sorcerer Gul’dan (Daniel Wu), uses a dangerous magic called the Fel – which feeds on the energy of life – to send a small war party of orcs through a portal to the peaceful realm of Azeroth in the hopes of conquering the land and using its inhabitants as fuel to transport the rest of the fleeing Horde. But not everyone agrees with his methods, particularly Durotan (Toby Kebbell), the noble chieftain of the Frostwolf Clan, who believes that Gul’dan’s obsession with the Fel is what caused Draenor to wither away. Meanwhile, the human forces of Azeroth – led by King Llane (Dominic Cooper), heroic warrior Anduin Lothar (Travis Fimmel) and powerful magician Medivh (Ben Foster) – scramble to defend their kingdom with the help of Garona (Paula Patton), a human/orc half-breed who must decide where her true loyalty lies: with the orc Horde that raised her or the humans that freed her from a lifetime of slavery.

Entertainment, Movie Reviews, Movies

Ben Foster Dominic Cooper Duncan Jones Paula Patton Toby Kebbell Travis Fimmel Warcraft

Blu Tuesday: 13 Hours, Zootopia and More

June 7, 2016 / Jason Zingale

“13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi”

WHAT: On the evening of September 11, 2012, Islamic militants in Benghazi attacked the poorly guarded compound where the U.S. Ambassador resided, prompting a six-man security team led by Tyron Woods (James Badge Dale) to launch a perilous rescue attempt before returning to the nearby CIA annex to defend against wave after wave of rebel attacks until support arrived.

WHY: Michael Bay has wasted the better part of the last decade making shitty “Transformers” films, so it’s nice to see him return to form with “13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi,” an exhilarating and surprisingly apolitical military thriller that reconfirms why he’s one of the best action directors in the business. It takes nearly an hour before the first attack occurs, but Bay uses that time to establish the characters, provide an overview of the geopolitical landscape and build tension, because once it kicks into action mode, Bay rarely lets his foot off the gas, pummeling the audience with one explosive firefight after the next. This is Bay’s bread and butter, and he doesn’t disappoint with some expertly shot action sequences that drop the audience right into the middle of the combat. Though the movie isn’t without the typical Bayisms (from the overuse of slow motion and lingering shots of the American flag, to the corny dialogue), “13 Hours” is a marked improvement compared to his recent output that harkens back to earlier films like “The Rock.”

EXTRAS: There’s a trio of featurettes on adapting the source material, filming the battle sequences and the CIA’s real-life Global Response Staff.

FINAL VERDICT: RENT

“Zootopia”

WHAT: After proving her detractors wrong by becoming the first rabbit police officer in the animal city of Zootopia, Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) must team up with a con artist fox named Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) to uncover a conspiracy that’s causing some of the city’s predators to revert back into savage beasts.

WHY: “Zootopia” might just be the best Pixar movie that Pixar never made. It’s smart, funny and works both as a delightful family film on the surface and a rich allegory for race relations on a much deeper level. In fact, it handles the subject of racism and prejudice better than most live-action movies, and that in itself is really impressive. The dynamic between Ginnifer Goodwin’s go-getting bunny and Jason Bateman’s sardonic fox is excellent, while the vibrant world that directors Byron Howard (“Tangled”) and Rich Moore (“Wreck-It Ralph”) have created is incredibly imaginative, opening up numerous possibilities for sequels that would not only be warranted but welcome as well. Though the movie runs a little long at 108 minutes, there are so many great moments littered throughout that it’s hard to imagine another animated film providing much competition at next year’s Oscars. Sister studio Pixar may get all the love, but recently, Walt Disney Animation has been on a real winning streak, and “Zootopia” is its finest achievement yet.

EXTRAS: The Blu-ray release includes a making-of featurette hosted by star Ginnifer Goodwin, three additional featurettes on developing the story, finding inspiration from real-life animals, and composing the score, a behind-the-scenes look at the film’s many Easter eggs and more.

FINAL VERDICT: RENT

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Blu Tuesday new Blu-rays The Martian Zootopia

Movie Review: “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows”

June 3, 2016 / Jason Zingale

Megan Fox, Stephen Amell, Will Arnett, Laura Linney, Alan Ritchson, Noel Fisher, Jeremy Howard, Pete Ploszek, Tyler Perry, Brian Tee, Gary Anthony Williams, Sheamus, Brad Garrett

Dave Green

Contrary to the harshly negative reviews that it received, Jonathan Liebesman’s 2014 reboot of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” wasn’t that bad. The product of a misguided adaptation that was course-corrected with extensive reshoots, the film doesn’t hold up as well on repeat viewings, but it’s still a better-than-average franchise-starter that got enough things right to warrant a sequel. Though “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows” isn’t necessarily better or worse, you have to hand it to the filmmakers for actually listening to the fans, because the new movie is such a nostalgia-fueled throwback to the original animated series (the holy grail for adult fans) that it atones for many of the first film’s blunders.

One year after stopping The Shredder from unleashing a deadly virus on New York City – an achievement that news cameraman Vern Fenwick (Will Arnett) has gladly taken credit for to protect the real heroes’ identities – Leonardo (Pete Ploszek), Raphael (Alan Ritchson), Donatello (Jeremy Howard) and Michelangelo (Noel Fisher) continue to watch over the city from the shadows. But when Shredder (Brian Tee) escapes police custody and teams up with mad scientist Baxter Stockman (Tyler Perry) to open a portal to Dimension X, thereby allowing the nefarious, brain-like alien General Krang (voiced by Brad Garrett) to invade Earth with his world-destroying war machine the Technodrome, April O’Neil (Megan Fox) calls in the Turtles for help. This time around, however, Shredder has enlisted a pair of dimwitted mutant henchmen named Bebop and Rocksteady (Gary Anthony Williams and WWE wrestler Sheamus, respectively) to do his dirty work for him.

Entertainment, Movie Reviews, Movies

Laura Linney Megan Fox Stephen Amell Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Will Arnett