Funny People (2-Disc)

Overview: George Simmons is a famous stand-up comedian who learns that he has a terminal illness and less than a year to live. When, he meets Ira, a struggling comedian at a comedy club where both the comedians are performing, George hires Ira to be his personal assistant and opening act at his performances. The two forge a close friendship as George helps Ira with his career and Ira helps George find closure in his legacy. However, when George learns that his disease has gone into remission and an ex-girlfriend re-enters his life, he’s inspired to reevaluate what is important to him and what truly gives meaning to his life.

I must admit that this film wasn’t very funny but very long and boring, too much dialogue, meaning too much talking, and nothing really happened. It was actually depressing at times, yes, you had a few funny punchlines but let’s face it, Adam Sandler was subpar in this role of a comedian named George Simmons,who learns that he has an untreatable blood disorder and is given less than a year to live. I wasn’t into the film even though, I had to finish watching it for the sake of writing this review.

The first half of the film, we meet Ira (Seth Rogen) trying to do stand up comedy, which he wasn’t funny at all. He did get laughs from the crowd after taking pop shots a George for coming out of retirement to do stand up again, which he bombed. After Ira comes out of the comedy nightclub, he sees George banging his head on the car wheel disgusted and almost in tears from his awful performance, he tells Ira if he would like to ghost write some funny material for his act. Ira then agrees and then we are led to a lot of talking.

The second half of the film turns weird. Why? George finds out that he is all fine, the Doctor clears him of any life threatening disease. So George goes over to Laura’s house, his ex-girlfriend, the love of his life, you know, the one who got away. George has sex with Laura and then tries to ruin her Family, by almost breaking up her marriage. There are a couple Hip-Hop rapper cameos from Eminem to RZA, they did  a fair job in their small roles. But I can’t really tell you to watch this film but if you’re bored out of your mind and have time to spare, then I guess watch it.

Kobe Doin’ Work

Overview: Spike Lee calls the shots as he takes you up close and personal with Kobe Bryant the NBA’s most valuable player of 2008. Experience unlimited access as 30 cameras follow Kobe’s every move in the single most important match up of the 2007-08 season. Mic’ed to hear his every word, Kobe puts his leadership skills to the ultimate test as the Los Angeles Lakers take on the San Antonio Spurs for the Western Conference title lead. From locker room prep and strategy talks to the dynamic action of the big game itself, Kobe Doin’ Work is the NBA superstar as you’ve never seen him before, insense, uncensored and totally real!

Watching this documentary which Spike Lee directed and followed Kobe around showed me how dictated the ballplayer is in making his goal of winning a championship without Shaquille O’Neal seem reality. The outcome is that Kobe did win a championship without Shaquille O’Neal in the picture. It was nice to see Kobe interact with his family and how much he enjoyed being around his teammates. For the most part, Kobe Bryant, is a bonafide athlete that we get an opportunity or rather a rare peak at greatest through the eyes of Spike Lee.

In one of the scenes, Spike captures Kobe with his wife coming out of a ballgame getting into the family car with his little daughters singing parts of a Michael Jackson song named Thriller. I think Kobe even tries for a second to make an attempt to show her daughter, the thriller dance. Anyways, beyond the pressures of playing in front of thousands of fans, we do see a human, with emotions and a person who is driven to want to win.

It’s a well pieced together documentary film by Spike Lee showing us “the viewer” how Kobe interacts in team meetings and warm-ups or during the game itself. I highly suggest you guys pick it up on DVD, for your holiday gift list.

Shorts

Overview: In the suburb of Black Falls, all the houses look the same and everyone works for BLACK BOX Unlimited Worldwide Industries Incorporated, whose Mr. Black’s BLACK BOX is the ultimate communication and do-it-all gadget that’s sweeping the nation. Other than keeping his parents employed, however, Mr. Black’s BLACK BOX has done nothing for 11-year-old Toe Thompson, who just wants to make a few friends… until a mysterious rainbow-colored rock falls from the sky, hits him in the head and changes everything. The Rainbow Rock does Mr. Black’s BLACK BOX one better: it grants wishes to anyone who holds it. Before long, wishes-gone-wrong have left the neighborhood swarming with tiny spaceships, crocodile armies, giant boogers… and outrageous magical mayhem around every corner. But it’s not until the grown-ups get their hands on the Rock that the trouble really starts. Now Toe and his newfound friends must join forces to save their town from itself, discovering along the way that what you wish for is not always what you want.

You might know Robert Rodriguez for amazing edgy films such as Sin City, Planet Terror, or Desperado to name a few. But what is it about Robert Rodriguez that makes him stand out from other directors? I’ll tell you guys why. First, it’s that he can adapt to any film project that’s put in front of him specifically a movie script. He has a unique way of visualizing what he wants on screen. It also helps that he owns a studio which makes visual effects. So he has tackled films aimed at kids with the successful franchise Spy Kids films, then enters Shorts, which is a different kids film.

The cast for the Adults from Shorts include: William H. Macy as Dr. Noseworthy, James Spader as Mr. Black, Jon Cryer as Dad Thompson, and Leslie Mann as Dad Thompson. As for the kids: you got Rodriguez’s own son Rebel who plays a part in the film as Lugz, others like Jimmy Bennett as Toe Thompson, Trevor Gagnon as Loogie, relative newcomer Jake Short as Nose Noseworthy, Devon Gearhart Cole Black, and Jolie Vanier as Helvetica Black did a effective job. For the most part, the script was subpar by Robert but he tried his best to make it work with visual effects. The acting was good enough to entertain my kids for an hour and half. It’s definitely, a great way to spend the afternoon or evening with your whole family.

Katt Williams: Katt Box

Katt Williams’ best material is available in the Katt Box, a 3-CD box set collection. It was pleasure to listen to Katt discuss many of his experiences in his life. For instance, his children who he has a fond appreciation when he talks about them growing up and teaching them the right things to do in life. Now Katt is known to not bite his tongue and he goes in on many people such as the late King of Pop Michael Jackson. I have to note that it was recorded before Michael Jackson’s death. Anyways, what Katt does well is explain at length his thoughts on mostly everything from politics to what’s happening in the hood.

At times, I felt he went on a rant and talked too much and I missed the joke. I still think he’s a different type of comedian that you have to take a liking to, it’s really a matter of taste. Overall, it’s a good box set, which I highly recommend if you like Katt’s brand of comedy.

Katt Williams: Katt Box Track Listing

It’s Pimpin’ Pimpin’

1. Your Star Player
2. Date A President
3. Ritalin and Steroids
4. Poor Little Tink Tink
5. Laugh First
6. Have Your Team Together
7. Franchise Player
8. Scared Of Rope
9. The Vaporizer
10. Finally Got My Motorcycle

The Pimp Chronicle pt. 1
1. Katt Takes The Stage
2. Self Esteem
3. Weed
4. Insurgents
5. Haters
6. Kids
7. Drinking With White People
8. Make Up Your Own Dance
9. Hollywood
10. Michael Jackson
11. My House

American Hustle

1. Hello Chicago
2. Biggest Gangstas
3. Orange Chicken
4. Too Many Guns
5. Quiet Haters
6. Raggedy B***es
7. Work To Do
8. B****-Ns

My Sister’s Keeper

Overview: Sara (Cameron Diaz) and Brian (Jason Patric) Fitzgerald’s life with their young son and their two-year-old daughter, Kate (Sofia Vassilieva), is forever altered when they learn that Kate has leukemia. The parents’ only hope is to conceive another child, specifically intended to save Kate’s life. For some, such genetic engineering would raise both moral and ethical questions; for the Fitzgeralds, Sara in particular, there is no choice but to do whatever it takes to keep Kate alive. And what it takes is Anna (Abigail Breslin). Kate and Anna share a bond closer than most sisters: though Kate is older, she relies on her little sister–in fact, her life depends on Anna.

Throughout their young lives, the sisters endure various medical procedures and hospital stays–just another part of their close-knit family’s otherwise normal life. Sara, a loving wife and mother who left her career as an attorney to care for her daughter, is sometimes lost inside the single-minded caregiver she has become in her efforts to save Kate. Her strong, supportive husband, Brian, is often rendered powerless and passive by his wife’s strength and determination. And their only son, Jesse, drifts, at times all but forgotten as Kate and Anna take center stage. Until Anna, now 11, says “no.” Seeking medical emancipation, she hires her own lawyer initiating a court case that divides the family and that could leave Kate’s rapidly failing body in the hands of fate.

Based on a novel book titled My Sister’s Keeper by author Jodi Picoult. It was great to see how committed Cameron Diaz was in playing this role of Sara, not only because she shaved her head but how she tried her best to help Kate with her health condition in which she was diagnosed with leukemia. For the most part, this is touching film which revolves around Kate condition and how the family tries to deal with the situation. I might that the actress named Sofia Vassilieva that plays the character Kate, helps you perceive the world through a sick young girl’s eyes and how important a family bond is to someone whose life can end so suddenly.

The story, is real on so many levels, and makes you think. I felt that much of the story was realistic. And towards the end of the film, I could not stop crying literally. This movie touched my heart and highly suggest you guys to buy it or rent it.

Monsters, Inc. Blu-Ray

Overview: Experience the film that captured the hearts of critics and fans around the world in a breathtaking new way. MONSTERS, INC. is visually dazzling, action-packed and hilarious, raves the Boston Herald. And now, with eye-popping, crystal-clear visuals and theater-quality sound, it’s even better on Disney Blu-ray Hi-Def! Lovable Sulley (John Goodman) and his wisecracking sidekick Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal) are the top scare team at Monsters, Inc., the scream-processing factory in Monstropolis. When a little girl named Boo wanders into their world, it’s the monsters who are scared silly, and it’s up to Sulley and Mike to keep her out of sight and get her back home. Open the door to a fantastic world of fun and imagination that will have you screaming for more.

It’s fact that everyone in the world knows that Pixar is the ruler of all computer-animated films. And Monsters, Inc. is without a doubt its most hilarious animated comedy feature films. As far as the story goes, one day, a door is opened and Boo (girl) comes to the monster world. Then it’s up to the guys Sully and Wazowski try to help the little girl get back home. But what really makes this film great is the voice acting which was casted for Monsters Inc.. Sully is clearly the standout, which is played by actor John Goodman. John Goodman and Billy Crystal are perfectly cast together. Comedy-wise, this movie is absolutely hysterical. It’s hard to ever stop laughing. Pixar doesn’t mess up very often. The animations here are fluid, but maybe not as varied as they are in many other Pixar hits.

Visual wise, Monsters, Inc. looks pretty amazing on Blu-Ray disc. Just about every animation scene looked smooth in 3 D effect. Pixar and blocky animation cannot be associated with each other. In the end, this film is a fun one that is pretty entertaining or at least very funny. Monsters, Inc. is no Finding Nemo, but it is a worthwhile to watch.

The specific aspects of the Blu-ray:
The Monsters, Inc. Blu-ray Disc allows movie fans to enjoy the film in high definition format, delivering far more crisply detailed images than standard DVDs. The sounds of  Monsters, Inc. Blu-Ray Disc is extraordinary.

The Audio and visuals of The Monsters, Inc.: The audio sounded excellent. The visuals looked amazing on screen, the characters really come to life with the 3D animation effect. Blu-Ray Extras: Reviewer’s comment: Check out some bonus clips below it speaks volumes.

Blu-Ray Extras Disc 1 – Blu-ray; ; Feature Film; ; All-New Exclusive Bonus; ; Monster, Inc. Ride and Go Seek: Building Monstropolis in Japan ; ; Go Behind The Scenes of the New Attraction in Tokyo Disneyland; ; Filmmakers’ Round Table – Filmmaker’s Reflect on the Creation of the Film; ; Audio Commentary; ; Plus Original DVD Bonus; ; For the Birds Short – Academy Award Winner (2001) – Best Animated Short Film; Mike’s New Car Short ; Academy Award – Nominated (2002) – Best Animated Short Film; ; Disc 2 – Blu-ray; All-New Roz’s 100-Door Challenge Game; Pixar Fun Factory Tour; Banished Concepts; ; Disc 3 – DVD; Plus Original DVD Bonus; ; Disc 4 – DisneyFile Digital Copy

Roundtable Favorite Scene (Bonus)

Featurette: Tokyo Monstropolois (Bonus)

Up Blu-Ray

Overview: Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios take moviegoers up, up and away on one of the funniest adventures of all time with their latest comedy-fantasy. Up follows the uplifting tale of 78-year-old balloon salesman Carl Fredricksen, who finally fulfills his lifelong dream of a great adventure when he ties thousands of balloons to his house and flies away to the wilds of South America. But he discovers all too late that his biggest nightmare has stowed away on the trip an overly optimistic 8-year-old Wilderness Explorer named Russell. Their journey to a lost world, where they encounter some strange, exotic and surprising characters, is filled with hilarity, emotion and wildly imaginative adventure.

The 78-year-old balloon salesman Carl Fredricksen grew old with the love of his life a woman named Ellie but then she dies. Now inspired by his wife’s long time dream who he has shared all of his adventures since they were children. That’s when a  little kid named Russell comes into the picture. Russell is an explorer scout trying to get his Elderly Assisting badge. When Carl decides to make his dreams become reality he sets out on making his house into a air balloon. Out of nowhere, Russell appears outside his door way wanting Carl to let him in the house which he does. Along the way, they meet a crazy man named Muntz who controls dogs via a remote control gadget, one of them is a cute talking dog named Dug, which I do admit that Dug became my most favorite character by the end of the film. All three Carl, Russell and the bird try to run from Muntz who wants the bird.

The whole film I felt that the content wasn’t  directed at kids but rather at adults. It was sad too watch Carl deal with his wife Ellie death. But Russell brought hope and joy to Carl. You felt that Carl at times had regrets, which showed on his face about not having his wife Ellie with him as he traveled far away to land his house on top of a mountain that Ellie drew on paper.

This film has fabulous 3D effects, good color, art design, good characters, and a good script.  Score a big one for Pixar.

The specific aspects of the Blu-ray:
The Up Blu-ray Disc allows movie fans to enjoy the film in high definition format, delivering far more crisply detailed images than standard DVDs. The sounds of  the Up Blu-Ray Disc is extraordinary.

The Audio and visuals of The Up Blu-Ray: The audio sounded excellent. The visuals looked amazing on screen, the characters really come to life with the 3D animation effect. Blu-Ray Extras: Dug’s mission was humorous and fun to watch, it really makes me go out a buy a Dug plush a.s.a.p. Then you have Partly Cloudy a Theatrical short film; where one Partly Cloudy Cloud is the black sheep from all the clouds he seems to create the worst animals which then he handles it off to a bird but the bird gets beaten up by many of the clouds creations.

Blu-Ray Extras “Dug’s Special Mission” – All-new short follows the misadventures of Dug; “Partly Cloudy” – Theatrical short; Cine-Explore – The making of Up with Pete Docter and Bob Peterson; The many endings of Muntz – Alternate scenes; Global Guardian Badge Game – A multilayered geography game; Married Life – Expanded character back story; 8 all new documentaries – Including “Adventure Is Out There” – Travel to the real Paradise Falls; DVD bonus features

Bruno

Overview: Brüno (Sasha Baron Cohen), a gay fashionista is the host of the top-rated late night fashion show in any German-speaking country–apart from Germany. Brüno’s mission? To become the biggest Austrian celebrity since Hitler. His strategy? To crisscross the globe in the hopes of finding fame and love.

In Bruno (Sasha Baron Cohen), he returns as a nineteen year old gay Austrian fashionista named Bruno who gets fired from his show about fashion and decides to come to LA to become famous. He tries several different strategies, including adopting an African baby, starting a charitable organization, and even becoming straight, all with hilarious results. There is no limit to what Cohen will do as Bruno, and it’s gross, unexpected, and hilarious all at the same time.

I guess there’s not much more I can say about it, but one thing that always fascinates me in these movies is that the people Cohen talks to are making absolute jackasses of themselves while looking at Cohen’s characters as freaks. In other words, the irony is that because Cohen is playing a character, his outrageous behavior makes sense as a joke. But when he talks to the preachers who are trying to “make” people straight, or the model who thinks her job is so difficult, or Paula Abdul sitting on a person – these people are really being themselves. Also interesting is how thoroughly it illustrates the 180 degree difference between “the great flyover” and the major cities. People wonder how W. Bush could get elected twice or Sarah Palin could be seen as a viable candidate. This is how: people in middle America think totally differently from those of us in the cities. Again, it boggles the mind.

But more importantly, it makes you laugh. A lot. HARD. Cohen’s willingness to go to any depth to make you laugh pays off in spades. Sometimes the humor in BRUNO is silly – just funny talk or funny words. Sometimes it’s amazing, like watching him get beat down by a swinger. But it’s always hilarious, and anybody who sees this looking for a laugh gets what they pay for and then some. Another winner.

Check out this never-before-seen interview where baseball legend Pete Rose sits with Austrian TV host Bruno, played by inimitable prankster Sacha Baron Cohen!

About the Film

Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure Blu-Ray

When Tinker bell is given the task by the Queen Clarion (Anjelica Huston) and the Minister of autumn to create a one-of-a-kind scepter that will focus the light of an unusual blue harvest moon through a rare moonstone in order to replenish the pixie dust tree’s supply of pixie dust. Terence (Jesse McCartney) offers to help Tink with the scepter in which she accepted but then they have a falling out. Tink then accidentally breaks the moonstone and she tries to fix the problem by going on a wish hunt for a lost treasure of a magical mirror in which grants you one wish. As always whenever Tink gets an idea she then follows up thinking by going on a hunting trip to find the lost treasure that she can get to make one wish to fix the moonstone. So she builds a Air Balloon and then she travels to Neverland to find the lost treasure.

But she encounters some obstacles along the way when she meets a little insect bug named Blaze who eats her food. The little guy is so adorable, he was like a puppy in other words Tink’s pet. So she tries her best to find the ship where the lost treasure but then finds trouble when rats try to eat her, Terence, and Blaze. By the way, Tink is voiced by Mae Whitman and she does a great job. I definitely think the film is directed at children but I’m in my late 20’s and I liked the film, it had me smiling and chuckling at moments like when Tink and Blaze argue who was suppose to look out for the air balloon from flying off.  I also enjoyed that Tink’s friends Rosetta (Kristin Chenoweth), Iridessa (Raven-Symoné), Silvermist (Lucy Liu), and Fawn (Angela Bartys replaced America Ferrera) make cameos in the film. Overall, it was an entertaining animated film and I suggest you guys buy it on Blu-Ray cause you’ll love it and especially your kids they will as well.

The specific aspects of the Blu-ray:
The Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure Blu-ray Disc allows movie fans to enjoy the film in high definition format, delivering far more crisply detailed images than standard DVDs. The sounds of  The Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure Blu-Ray Disc is extraordinary.

The Audio and visuals of The Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure: The audio sounded excellent. The visuals looked amazing on screen, the characters really come to life with the 3D animation effect. Blu-Ray Extras: In the deleted scenes feature they were great in which the Director Klay Hall and Producer Sean Lurie gives us the viewer a background on why some scenes were deleted. It was interesting to watch some scenes which could’ve affected the outcome of Blaze saying goodbye to Tink.  Blaze could’ve been left behind instead of being brought to Pixie Hollow. There’s a lot insightful stuff in the bonus features, that I won’t ruin it for you guys but it’s worth checking out after you watch the film.

Blu-Ray Extras Scenes You Never Saw – These fairy funny alternate scenes did not make it into the movie; Magical Guide to Pixie Hollow – Tinker Bell and Terence are your guides as you explore the autumn area of Pixie Hollow; Deleted Scenes with Filmmaker Introductions – Play deleted scenes with optional intros by Director Klay Hall and Producer Sean Lurie; Pixie Hollow Comes To Florida – Discover how the filmmakers helped transform Epcot into Pixie Hollow

Big Help (film)
>

Orphan

Overview: The tragic loss of their unborn child has devastated Kate (Vera Farmiga) and John (Peter Sarsgaard), taking a toll on both their marriage and Kate’s fragile psyche as she is plagued by nightmares and haunted by demons from her past. Struggling to regain some semblance of normalcy in their lives, the couple decides to adopt another child. At the local orphanage, both John and Kate find themselves strangely drawn to a young girl named Esther (Isabelle Fuhrman). Almost as soon as they welcome Esther into their home, however, an alarming series of events begins to unfold, leading Kate to believe that there’s something wrong with Esther–this seemingly angelic little girl is not what she appears to be. Concerned for the safety of her family, Kate tries to get John and others to see past Esther’s sweet facade. But her warnings go unheeded until it may be too late-for everyone.

Watching Kate (Vera Farmiga) try to convince her husband John (Peter Sarsgaard) that Esther (Isabelle Fuhrman) was a child from hell was a bit nerve-racking at times. I say that because Esther does some coldblooded killings makes the viewer be like ‘c’mon now John’ be smarter but he wasn’t. But Kate figures things out and she kept me interested throughout the film. We get to see a twist at the end when we find out about, who really is Esther? By the way, Isabelle Fuhrman who played Esther did an incredible convincing job of an insane killer. What made this a good film was the script cause it was solid. You can feel sorry and upset at  the same time with Kate’s character cause we see things happening to people and she pretty much sensed the evil in Esther.

The audio and picture on this DVD were fine. There’s a alternate ending which was cool, you guys definitely have to watch it.. I think the film was well done and good enough for you guys to buy it on DVD or Blu-Ray.

Saigon Warning Shots 2 Album Review

Overall Impression: I must admit I’m not a huge Saigon fan but he can get busy on that microphone. After listening to the entire album Warning Shots 2, I found it to be decent and enjoyable. For starters positive songs such as Fatherhood and Gotta Believe it which were touching to listen to and he demonstrated to me that they’re still some good rappers who can show that soft side. There are the thugg’d out joints like Aye Aye Aye N*gga and For Some P*ssy Part 1. I still feel that Saigon is missing something as an artist. I’m not going to judge the man but let his music speak for itself. But one thing is for sure, he makes good music for his loyal fans.

Saigon Warning Shots 2 Track Listing

*Stand Out Tracks:

1. Nothing Comes Easy
2. That’s Not What’s Up Feat. G.Soul
3. *Fatherhood (Rayne Dior) feat Lokz
4. All Around The World Feat G.Soul
5. *For Some P*ssy Part 1 feat O.J. Da Juiceman
6. Cookies & Milk Introducing Young Boombaya & A.P.
7. Be On Time
8. G Optified (Tommy Tee’s Theme Sampler)
9. F*ck Me, F*ck You Feat Quan And Ransom
10. Rusty Gunz feat. Lil Fame from M.O.P.
11. Aye Aye Aye N*gga
12. Who Can Get feat Grand Puba
13. *Copping Pleas
14. *For Some P*ssy Part 2
15. *Saiiiiii Outro
16. *Gotta Believe It

Trick ‘r Treat

Overview: Four interwoven tales are set on Halloween night: a high-school principal who moonlights as a vicious serial killer, a young virgin whose quest for that special someone takes a gruesome turn, a group of teens who carries out a cruel prank with disastrous consequences, and a cantankerous old man who battles a mischievous trick-or-treating demon.

What can you say about this type of caliber horror film. The stories which all connected at the end made for an entertaining hour and twenty minutes for a night, feel worth watching. For starters you had the werewolf women, but at first you thought that they were just horny young girls. The older big sister tries to get her young er sister to hook up with a guy so she can lose her virginity. Then the school principle that turns out to be a serial killer that gets his son involved. He kills a kid and buries him in his backyard house. Then the classic ghost story about the bus load of kids getting driven off the cliff. Only in Halloween, they come out to get their candies but they don’t think twice about killing people.

The audio and picture on this DVD were fine. Overall, I wish this could have come out in the theaters. But I’m glad I saw it on DVD.  Now the DVD didn’t have much bonus material which was wack. I still think it was an enjoyable and entertaining Halloween film and good enough for you guys to buy it on DVD.

The Proposal Blu-Ray

Overview: When high-powered book editor Margaret faces deportation to her native Canada, the quick-thinking exec declares that she’s actually engaged to her unsuspecting put-upon assistant Andrew, who she’s tormented for years. He agrees to participate in the charade, but with a few conditions of his own. The unlikely couple heads to Alaska to meet his quirky family and the always-in-control city girl finds herself in one comedic fish-out-of-water situation after another. With an impromptu wedding in the works and an immigration official on their tails, Margaret and Andrew reluctantly vow to stick to the plan despite the precarious consequences.

When the Boss lady Margaret Tate (Sandra Bullock) is being fired cause she is illegally in the United States. She gets her assistant Andrew Paxton (Ryan Reynolds) to go with a scheme where he marries her so she can be a U.S. Citizen. Honestly, there wasn’t much laugh out loud moments from beginning to end, both Margaret and Andrew personalities match because they take themselves way too serious especially Margaret. But then again, there was Margaret and the stripper, Margaret and the dog/eagle, Margaret and Gammy when Margaret let’s her guard down in the woods and starts rapping and dancing.

Now I’m not hating on them, I thoroughly enjoyed the interaction between Andrew and Margaret. Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock are two of my favorite actors.  It’s was still an enjoyable movie but I caution you guys to not get your hopes up thinking it’s a whole lot of comic relief jokes going on in the film because there isn’t. As far as the script goes it was perfect overall very strong.

The Proposal Video Clip:

Take the Dog:

The specific aspects of the Blu-ray:
The Proposal Blu-ray Disc allows movie fans to enjoy the film in high definition format, delivering far more crisply detailed images than standard DVDs. The sounds of  The Proposal Blu-Ray Disc is extraordinary.

The Audio and visuals of The Proposal: The audio was perfect. The visuals I loved looked good on my 46′ TV. Blu-Ray Extras: There’s an excellent alternate ending scene that you guys have to watch.

Blu-Ray Extras Disc 1 – Blu-ray; ; Exclusive To Blu-ray Additional Deleted Scene; ; Alternate Ending – With Optional Commentary By Director Anne Fletcher and Writer Peter Chiarelli; ; Deleted Scenes – With Optional Commentary by Director Anne Fletcher and Writer Peter Chiarelli; ; Set Antics: Outtakes and Other Absurdities From The Proposal; ; Feature Audio Commentary- With Director Anne Fletcher and Writer Peter Chiarelli

Drag Me To Hell Blu-Ray

Overview: Christine Brown is an ambitious L.A. loan officer with a charming boyfriend, professor Clay Dalton. Life is good until the mysterious Mrs. Ganush arrives at the bank to beg for an extension on her home loan. Should Christine follow her instincts and give the old woman a break? Or should she deny the extension to impress her boss, Mr. Jacks, and get a leg-up on a promotion? Christine fatefully chooses the latter, shaming Mrs. Ganush and dispossessing her of her home. In retaliation, the old woman places the powerful curse of the Lamia on Christine, transforming her life into a living hell. Haunted by an evil spirit and misunderstood by a skeptical boyfriend, she seeks the aid of seer Rham Jas to save her soul from eternal damnation. To help the shattered Christine return her life to normal, the psychic sets her on a frantic course to reverse the spell. As evil forces close in, Christine must face the unthinkable: How far will she go to break free of the curse?

In Drag Me To Hell, an old woman Mrs. Ganush (Lorna Raver) curses the loan officer Christine Brown (Alison Lohman) who foreclosed on her house, causing an evil spirit to torture the officer with the intention of eventually, well, dragging her to Hell. This sends the girl on a race to find a way out of the curse before that happens, and… well, that’s pretty much the plot of the film. Like all good horror, it’s very simple, but this isn’t a typical horror film. It’s Sam Raimi film.

What does that mean? Well, for those of you that are unindoctrinated, Sam Raimi’s horror movies are ridiculously visceral – so over the top in their violence that they’re downright comical, and yet, the secret is that all of his characters play it straight. There are no stupid attempts at camp or anything like that, and this makes everything twice as funny. This movie has a lot of Raimi’s favorite motifs, like people floating in the air and doing crazy stuff, and gore, but it doesn’t have some of the others like, well, Bruce Campbell. The best description I can give it is “Sam Raimi horror with a bigger budget,” but not all silly like in Army of Darkness (1992). And like his other masterworks in this genre (the Evil Dead movies), it’s a lot of fun as a result.

I could go into detail about what all I liked about this film, but unfortunately, that would give it a lot of it away, so let me just say that “the cat stuff” and “the gross callbacks” had me rolling. Like the plot description, there’s not much more to say about it than that, except that again, the mastery of this technique is where Raimi is at his best, and it’s good to see him back in his element and to see that he hasn’t lost it any (unlike, say, George Lucas). I don’t know how many more of these Raimi can make (if any), but if you were a fan of his early stuff, this is a fun throwback to that. Highly recommended.

The specific aspects of the Blu-ray:
The Drag Me To Hell Blu-ray Disc allows movie fans to enjoy the film in high definition format, delivering far more crisply detailed images than standard DVDs. The sounds of  The Drag Me To Hell Blu-Ray Disc is extraordinary.

The Audio and visuals of The Drag Me To Hell: The audio was okay. The visuals looked superb. Blu-Ray Extras: There’s a feature titled Production Video Diaries but it’s just a collection of clips and interviews from behind the scenes.

Blu-Ray Extras Production Video Diaries; D-Box; BD Live – My Scenes Sharing

American Violet

Overview: Based on true events, American Violet tells the astonishing story of Dee Roberts (Nicole Beharie), a 24-year-old single mother of four in a small Texas town. With local and national elections just days away, a powerful District Attorney (Michael O’Keefe) orders heavily armed police to raid the housing project where she lives, making sweeping arrests.  Dee is falsely arrested and charged as a drug dealer on the uncorroborated word of a dubious police informant.

She is given the choice of pleading guilty to a crime she didn’t commit and returning home a convicted felon, or remaining in prison while she fights the charges, risking a long prison sentence and losing custody of her four daughters. Despite the urgings of her mother (Alfre Woodard), Dee decides to fight back.  And with the assistance of her Pastor (Charles Dutton), a sympathetic ACLU attorney (Nelson), and a former local narcotics officer (Will Patton), Dee takes on a battle that will change her life and the Texas justice system forever.

American Violet is a movie based on a true story regarding the drug raids and wrongful convictions of several black citizens in Melody, Texas years ago. Dee Roberts (Nicole Beharie) and District Attorney Calvin Beckett ( Michael O’Keefe) begin a legal battle between each other. Throughout the film we watch as Dee struggles to keep a job especially when Calvin Beckett uses his influences on people she then eventually gets fired. Dee’s lawyers Sam Conroy (Will Patton) and ACLU attorney David Cohen (Tim Blake Nelson) try their best to find some sort of evidence that can convince the judge that Calvin is a racist. Clearly Calvin doesn’t like black people and Dee’s lawyers eventually do get some strong evidence that Calvin couldn’t dispute.

The entire time that I watched this film, I was a bit bored cause the storyline took a while to develop but it was essential to show each character’s weakness and strength especially Dee. This film will definitely affect the spectrum of your emotions, especially if you are a minority in this country. On the same token, it’s a re-affirmation that our system still works despite it’s imperfections and there are people willing to sacrifice all to insure that injustices are corrected.

Crank 2: High Voltage

Overview: Hitman Chev Chelios is kidnapped by a mysterious Chinese mobster. Three months later, he wakes up to discover his nearly indestructible heart has been surgically removed and replaced with a battery-operated ticker that requires regular jolts of electricity in order to work. After a dangerous escape from his captors, Chev is on the run again, this time from the charismatic Mexican gang boss El Huron and the Chinese Triads, headed by the dangerous 100 year-old elder Poon Dong. Once again turning to Doc Miles for medical advice, receiving help from his friend Kaylo a€™s twin brother Venus, and re-connecting with his girlfriend Eve, who is no longer in the dark about what he does for a living, Chev is determined to get his real heart back and wreak vengeance on whoever stole it, embarking on an electrifying chase through Los Angeles where anything goes to stay alive.

For those of you who loved the first “Crank” as much as I did, you were no doubt stoked for “Crank: High Voltage,” the first in what I predict will be a long string of sequels made solely in the attempt to cash in on the success of the last one. I also predict that we will still be laughing when everyone gets shot, electrocuted, and all the funny things Jason Statham must do to stay alive long enough to find out “What the (bleep) is wrong with me?”

All of the original actors are back, including Jason Statham as Chev Chelios; Amy Smart as his girlfriend Eve; Dwight Yokam as the sex-addicted doc who has to help Chelios; even Efren Ramirez, who played Kaylo in the first movie returns (albeit in a different, yet similar, role).

The story this go round involves Chev Chelios (Jason Statham) being scrapped up (literally) off the ground after his deadly fall out of the helicopter in the first movie. He is rushed to a secret facility owned by Chinese Triads who steal his heart and replace it with an artificial heart. After escaping, Chelios calls the Doc (Dwight Yokam), who tells him that the charge will only last for a few hours.

From then on, Chelios races against time to find his heart and the guys who took it. He encounters Eve (Amy Smart) in a strip club; an Oriental hooker at a crack house who falls in love with him after he saves her life; and several other mis-adventures that make up this delightfuly repetitive sequel. Even the “Sex in a Public Place” gag from the first film is used again, but with funnier results.

While by no means a perfect sequel, “Crank 2: High Voltage” is enough to keep your heart (and Chelios’) racing. At least until it slows again; at which point, Crank 3 will be out and the racing will continue.

DVD Extras: The DVD features were very insightful especially having the writer and director of Crank 2: High Voltage, show us the bloopers and what took place behind the scenes. They even talked about making another film Crank 3 in which they’re going to use the same film editor.

About the Film

X-Men Origins: Wolverine Blu-Ray

Overview: Leading up to the events of X-Men, X-Men Origins: Wolverine tells the story of Wolverine’s epically violent and romantic past, his complex relationship with Victor Creed and the ominous Weapon X program.  Along the way, Wolverine encounters many mutants, both familiar and new, including surprise appearances by several legends of the X-Men universe whose appearances in the film have long been anticipated.

There will be spoilers now, so if you don’t want the ending spoiled, you’d do well to stop reading. I wasn’t expecting too much, but I knew what to expect: Wolverine being a bad ass and destroying a lot of things. But the way Wolverine’s amnesia was handled. Stryker shoots him in the head with adamantium bullets. That’s it. After all the events in the movie, he gets shot in the head and heals everything but his memories. It’s a shame, since that could have been handled so much better. His various adaptations have all had better ways of handling his amnesia, whether it be via mind-wiping or his own healing factor. Instead, he gets shot in the head, then gets up ten minutes later with no recollection of everything. Of course, Victor Creed aka Sabertooth still remembers it all, which makes the first X-Men movie make a little less sense.

Alright, the film does fill in many gaps in Wolverine’s past and does it with tons of action and visual effects. It introduces some new characters (Emma Frost the White Queen, Gambit, etc.) that I am sure will allow for greater flexibility in stories in future movies. Wolverine’s past is not a happy one so don’t expect a shiny fairy tail story where the good guys don’t die.

I would say it is way better than Hulk, probably better than X-Men III, not nearly as good as Iron Man, and not as good as X-Men I & II.

The specific aspects of the Blu-ray:
The X-Men Origins: Wolverine Blu-ray Disc allows movie fans to enjoy the film in high definition format, delivering far more crisply detailed images than standard DVDs. The sounds of  The X-Men Origins: Wolverine Blu-Ray Disc is extraordinary.

The Audio and visuals of The X-Men Origins: Wolverine: The audio was perfect. The visuals I loved looked good on my 46′ TV. Blu-Ray Extras: There’s a feature titled BD-Live: Live Lookup powered by IMDb is excellent where you can look up each of the characters from the film. I really enjoyed this feature it gives the viewer/fan more of an opportunity to find out more about the film. There’s a few scenes cut out from the film that I think could’ve made a little difference with the whole Wolverine’s amnesia thing but instead the director chose to go with his version of the final print. There’s one scene cut out where Blob is about to be killed by Victor Creed, which made sense to cut out but overall the features on this blu-ray disc were great and worth watching.

Blu-Ray Extras The roots of Wolverine: A conversation with Stan Lee and Len Wein featurette; Wolverine Unleashed: The complete origins featurette; Weapon X mutant files; The Thrill of the Chase: The helicopter sequence; Ultimate X-Mode bonus view: C Connect, the director’s chair, pre-visualizing Wolverine and X facts trivia track; Deleted & alternate scenes with commentary by Gavin Hood; Fox Movie Channel presents world premiere; Audio commentary by director Gavin Hood; Audio commentary by producers Lauren Shuler Donner and Ralph Winter; BD-Live: Live Lookup powered by IMDb

The Legend of Drunken Master Blu-Ray

Overview: In turn-of-the-century China, a turbulent time between the collapse of the Manchu dynasty and the founding of the Republic of China, young Wong Fei-hong is trained in the obscure “drunken boxing” martial art. When he drinks alcohol, he untaps amazing strength and agility that allows him to fight dozens of men simultaneously. While en route to Canton with his father, the legendary martial artist finds himself embroiled in a plot by British imperialists and insidious locals to rob the country of its valuable cultural artifacts, including an imperial jade seal.

Wong Fei-hong (Jackie Chan) in this film was more about fight scenes than a storyline. Of course, there was a plot  which involves the British imperialists robbing the country of its valuable cultural artifacts. It didn’t really matter, Jackie’s scenes had my full attention. The stuff he did in the final battle scene where he gets set on fire and continues to kick ass, he had me wondering what’s next? He is the master of his own drunk boxing Kung fu style, which was funny and entertaining. It was Jackie’s one liners that had me laughing whenever he kicked or punched a bad guy.

As for the bonus feature contains only a behind the scene interview with Jackie Chan. It was interesting to get his prospective of how he did all his stunts. He acknowledges that this film, he was very proud to make. And he should cause every action scene was real without no wiring or digital effects, it’s just pure action pack combat and hard work that Jackie comes across on screen like a real master of his own craft.

The specific aspects of the Blu-ray:
The Legend of Drunken Master Blu-ray Disc allows movie fans to enjoy the film in high definition format, delivering far more crisply detailed images than standard DVDs. The sounds of  The Legend of Drunken Master Blu-Ray Disc is extraordinary.

The Audio and visuals of The Legend of Drunken Master it looked and sounded amazing.

Blu-Ray Extras Behind the Master: An interview with Jackie Chan

Ghosts of Girlfriends Past

Overview: Celebrity photographer Connor Mead loves freedom, fun and women… in that order. A committed bachelor who thinks nothing of breaking up with multiple women on a conference call, Connor’s mockery of romance proves a real buzz-kill for his kid brother, Paul, and a houseful of well wishers on the eve of Paul’s wedding. Just when it looks like Connor may single-handedly ruin the wedding, he is visited by the ghosts of his former jilted girlfriends, who take him on a revealing and hilarious odyssey through his failed relationships–past, present and future. Together they attempt to find out what turned Connor into such an insensitive jerk and whether there is still hope for him to find true love…or if he really is the lost cause everyone thinks he is.

Connor Mead (Matthew McConaughey) is Fashion photographer and ladies man but the guy thinks that by dating every woman he meets he can keep the pain from his first love slipping away.  This philosophy was taught to him by his uncle Wayne (Michael Douglas). Out of the blue, at  his brother Paul’s (Breckin Meyer) wedding, Connor sees his childhood sweetheart Jenny Perotti (Jennifer Garner) again. It’s obviously to the viewer that Connor still has feelings for Jenny.

So then the ghost of several people come into Connor’s life to show him what happens with the women he hurt. Allison Vandermeersh (Emma Stone) is the present Ghost, Melanie (Noureen DeWulf) and future (Olga Maliouk). The ghost of his uncle Wayne let’s Connor know that he is destined to be alone if he doesn’t chage his ways. Then enters the “present” ghost. She shows Connor how happy the people around him are when ever he isn’t near them.

The “future” ghost shows Connor that his life is a lonely one, that no one except his brother will come to his funeral which is a sad thing to know. This movie had its moments which had me  at times bored but it picked up during the middle. It’s alright comedy flick, which I suggest watching it if you’re truly bored out of your mind and you need some chuckles then pick it up.

The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi Blu-Ray

Overview: Zatoichi is a 19th century blind nomad who makes his living as a gambler and masseur. However, behind this humble facade, he is a master swordsman gifted with a lightning-fast draw and breathtaking precision. While wandering, Zatoichi discovers a remote mountain village at the mercy of Ginzo, a ruthless gang-leader. Ginzo disposes of anyone who gets in his way, especially after hiring the mighty samurai ronin, Hattori, as a bodyguard. After a raucous night of gambling in town, Zatoichi encoutners a pair of geishas–as dangerous as they are beautiful–who’ve come to avenge their parents’ murder. As the paths of these and other colorful characters intertwine, Ginzo’s henchmen are soon after Zatoichi. With his legendary cane sword at his side, the stage is set for a riveting showdown.

Japan’s favorite blind hero Zatoichi returns in the 2004 The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi. The plot revolves about samurai entering a town ravaged by a ruthless gang that killed two girls’ family. After much persuasion, our hero prepares to help them in their plan for vengeance. I realized that in the first ten minutes of this movie I did not notice I was reading the subtitles I was so drawn into the plot of the movie. One of my favorite scenes in the film is when Zatoichi randomly butchers an entire gambling spot. I was surprised by the style of the director Takeshi Kitano, he digitally added blood to the gore scenes and some of his shots were outstanding. Also, the camera angles and visuals were so gorgeous it took my breathe away.

The sword fights are clean and crisp. At the end of the film, the tap dancing scene is really entertaining. Even when the workers were doing their jobs there was like a musical beat to it which is awesome. This film mixes in solid acting performances with the exceedingly solid visuals.

The specific aspects of the Blu-ray:
The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi Blu-ray Disc allows movie fans to enjoy the film in high definition format, delivering far more crisply detailed images than standard DVDs. The sounds of The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi Blu-Ray Disc is extraordinary.

The Audio and visuals of The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi it looked and sounded amazing.

Blu-Ray Extras Behind-The-Scenes Special; Exclusive Interviews With Crew