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Director: Mark Schmidt
Writers: Mark Schmidt, Randy Williams, D. Scott Trawick, Christopher Williams, Patrick Million and Richard Lasser
Cast: Jonas Armstrong, Hannah Tointon, Ben Kingsley
Studio: Liberty Studios

“Walking with the Enemy” is about the Jewish resistance to the Nazi invaders in Hungary. Well, it’s also about political maneuvering and finding strange allies. But, it’s also about human endurance. Basically, it’s a very sincere movie with limited focus. Sir Ben Kingsley leads the cast in an attempt to show that resistance comes in many forms. However, not all work when you’re forced to make concessions to keep your people safe. There are minor historical flourishes provided for the sake of drama, but I can’t call it a bad movie.

Liberty Studios has produced a film that serves as a great start for later things. That being said, I don’t quite see what’s going to move on from here. Making fairly workable WWII films isn’t exactly an economic goldmine. However, I see enough talent here that I can see Liberty expand into other realms. The need for a tighter script is present, as the six writer situation has created a jumbled mess. It’s not the worst thing, but it only helps to distract from the basics of a rather compelling story.

The guy who played Robin Hood for the BBC is quite capable as the young lead. However, he never really gets to break out of his shell due to the stakes being so widely known. It’s kind of hard to question his actions, when you know that he’s fighting against genocide. That being said, if you step back…you can see that his character arc is narrow and doesn’t allow for a personality to develop. But, that’s the issue with audience acceptance of Holocaust dramas. Creative talent almost dares you to call into question whether or not there is any artistic merit to the original work. If it were up to me, I really wouldn’t go out of my way to see this in a theater. It’s prime home video viewing.

RELEASE DATE: 04/25/2014

NURSE 3D

Blu-ray reviews

TroyAnderson

April 24, 2014

THE PLOT THUS FAR

Paz de la Huerta (HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire”) turns up the body heat in this wickedly entertaining story of a fatal attraction. By day, nurse Abby Russell (de la Huerta) lovingly attends to the patients at All Saints Memorial Hospital; by night, Abby prowls nightclubs, luring unfaithful men into dangerous liaisons. After Danni, a young, sensitive nurse, joins the hospital staff, Abby pursues her friendship. But when the friendship turns to obsession, Danni spurns Abby, unleashing Abby’s fury and a rampage of terror.

WHAT WE THOUGHT

“Nurse” is a great modern exploitation film. Playing off old New World fare allows for modern sensibilities and a penchant for nudity to help overcome narrative shortcomings. The titular character is a woman with daddy issues that is seeking to make men pay for their after hours activities. During the days, she will heal your maladies. At night, she’ll lure into a sexual compromise and then kill you. Frightening to say the least.

Paz De La Huerta is an actress that I have little experience with watching. A few HBO episodes here, here Spanglish, there Spanglish and nothing much else. While she provided a lot of the cheap thrills, I found my attention directed to Judd Nelson and Katrina Bowden more. Bowden is channeling a little bit of Rainbeaux Smith in this performance and it works for here. While she never really got to develop on “30 Rock”, she’s showing great signs of being a B movie actress. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

The Blu-Ray comes with featurette, commentary, Digital HD copy and video diaries as the special features. The DTS-HD 5.1 master audio track provides for a masterful soundstage. Hell, the transfer is the shining point of the release. Whether it’s 2D or 3D 1080p, every moment of the film shines. Black hues are played nice, while the 3D transfer provides for excellent field of depth. You’ll never look at a syringe the same way again. In the end, I’d recommend a purchase.

RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW!

BIG BAD WOLVES

Blu-ray reviews

TroyAnderson

April 23, 2014

THE PLOT THUS FAR

A series of brutal murders puts the lives of three men on a collision course: The father of the latest victim now out for revenge, a vigilante police detective operating outside the boundaries of law, and the main suspect in the killings – a religious studies teacher arrested and released due to a police blunder.

WHAT WE THOUGHT

“Big Bad Wolves” makes a big deal out of its Quentin Tarantino endorsement. The film is pretty straightforward. An Israeli cop and his pals want to make a local school teacher pay for his suspected role in a serious of brutal murders. The teacher continues to claim he’s innocent, but no one is having it. What thrills me about this film is how brutal it is willing to get so fast. Sure, some question the actions and the police try to balance out the carnage. But, this is a very serious look at what vicious thoughts of murder do to the human psyche.

The nature of revenge is very complicated. Issues of punishment and morality start to push this film into horror territories and I can’t say that is not where it belongs. Revenge is a bitter poison that ruins an individual, as they sacrifice the forward momentum of a life to destroy another. If you’re paying attention throughout the feature, it ends as expected. However, I felt that “Prisoners” did a better job examining the journey towards self destruction that happens in cases like this. Not enough people supported that movie during its theatrical run.

The Blu-Ray comes with featurettes and a trailer as the special features. The DTS-HD 5.1 master audio track is supportive enough. The same can be said for the 1080p transfer. However, it’s not something that’s going to blow you out the back of your home theater. In the end, I’d recommend a purchase.

RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW!

BLACK JACK (1979)

Blu-ray reviews

TroyAnderson

April 23, 2014

THE PLOT THUS FAR

A rediscovered classic from director Ken Loach (THE WIND THAT SHAKES THE BARLEY, KES) and one of the inspirations for Wes Anderson’s MOONRISE KINGDOM, BLACK JACK is a dark and complex adventure film set in the 18th century and based on Leon Garfield’s novel for children. When French thief “Black Jack” kidnaps young Tolly, a journey begins that includes traveling fairs, murder and the rescue of a young girl from a private insane asylum. While shot primarily in 16mm and on a modest budget on location in Yorkshire, Chris Menges’ photography, the enchanting performances by its young cast and Loach’s gentle, observational style all shine through.

WHAT WE THOUGHT

“Black Jack” is this weird English tale about children and the creepy individuals that enter their lives. There is an element of “Great Expectations” to the narrative, but there’s also something more. Loach is so laid back in his direction, that you almost wonder if he’s asleep. That being said, I can see the influence that this film had on later productions including “Moonrise Kingdom”. It doesn’t want to make their kids cutesy, it wants to treat them like people inhabiting a world that was never meant for them.

Kids put into precarious situations has always made for compelling viewing. But, there’s something about Black Jack and Tolly that holds your attention, as they venture through the rural 17th century England. They’re ruffians, coarse and poor. But, they share a kinship by understanding the circumstances that made them the people they are today. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that Black Jack helps Tolly meet a non crazy young lady.

The Blu-Ray comes with deleted scenes, trailers and commentary as the special features. The LCPM 2.0 master audio track is strong enough. However, I feel that a stronger restoration could’ve helped to make the 16mm film’s origins seem less dated. That being said, the environment it created was strong enough for my home theater enjoyment. In the end, I’d recommend a purchase.

RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW!

CJ ADAMS and ERIN PITT GET INTERVIEWED IN THE RETURN OF THE AV INTERVIEW!

Interviews

TroyAnderson

March 15, 2014

CJ:

1. The scenery is beautiful and almost every animal was real and not computer generated.

2. Natasha was so nice and caring. She also had some great tips in scenes to make them easier

3. We worked the most with Houston the dog (plays Chinook). He is a very lovable dog, but easily distracted by Chipmunks and squirrels! The first day on the set he ran away for over an hour chasing a squirrel!

4. In some of the different angles in the bear scene, we had to pretend he was there or chasing us. In Godzilla, I also had to pretend I was seeing certain events happening.

5. Bear Grylls, one of the best survival guys ever!

Erin:

1) There has been a long line of kids in danger movies set in the far-flung wilderness. What made this movie different for you?

What made this movie different for me was the fact that almost all of the animals were real and that our dog helps save our lives.

2) What was like it working with Natasha Henstridge?

It was amazing she is an amazing actress making it very easy to work off of her. She is also so sweet it’s like she really is my mom.

3) How close did you get with the animal actors? Do you have any favorite memories?

We got about 9 feet from the bear and about 5 feet from the wolves. All of the other animals were very close to us. My favourite memory would probably be meeting all of the cast members and becoming very close to them. Also a great memory of mine would be watching the bear play basketball with its trainer.

4) What was it like going from the rough wilderness to a ladylike film ala your upcoming American Girl role in “Isabelle Dances into the Spotlight”

It was very different because only one scene was outside in American girl and almost all of the scenes were outside in against the wild. Therefore they were in two totally different locations

5) If you happened to be stuck in the wilderness, who would you want to be there with you?

I would want my twin brothers with me because although they are younger than me they would do whatever they could to protect and care for me as I would for them.

SESAME STREET: BE A GOOD SPORT

Blu-ray reviews

TroyAnderson

February 7, 2014

FROM THE BACK OF THE BOX:

Learning how to be a good sport can be hard for little monsters! When Elmo takes a game of Hot Potato too seriously, he hurts Abby’s feelings. Can Leela help Elmo learn that winning isn’t everything? Then it’s on to the court for some hoops! Abby uses magic to up Elmo’s basketball game, but is being good better than being himself? Includes the Clippers’ Blake Griffin talking about “champions,” Elmo the Musical: Athlete!, plus The Worm Games, and more in over 2 hours of fun! Let the games begin!

FROM THE BACK OF MY BRAIN:

“Be A Good Sport” is about how kids should be competitive, but not too competitive. After all, it’s just a game! A game that is meant to be won, but you also have to learn the politics of interpersonal dynamics as a young tyke. Street ain’t got no time for a youngster that don’t know how to perform on the court of b-ball or life. I have no idea who any Muppet is post Jim Henson.

It’s nice to see Blake Griffin showing up to help out his boy Elmo. Griffin isn’t doing shit with the Clippers, so I guess he had time to help the ragging Muppet monster find a way to step up his game. Grover’s also in this, but he gets played one too many times for me to take him seriously. I know that Grover’s old now, but what kind of junk is that to show a kid. Grover is hood.

The DVD comes with activity pages, related material and some Worm Games clips. The A/V Quality is on par with most Sesame Street standard definition releases. However, it’s not anything amazing. But, who really expects a Sesame Street to blow away your home theater? In the end, I’d recommend a purchase to parents.

RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW!

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