THE PLOT THUS FAR

In the late ’80s, the masses fixated on a single, sociopathic star. Morton Downey Jr. tore apart the traditional talk format by turning debate of current issues into a gladiator pit.

His blow-smoke-in-your-face style drew a rabid cult following, but also the title “Father of Trash Television.”

WHAT WE THOUGHT

Morton Downey, Jr. helped lead the way to trash journalism, even if his show appears obvious and amateurish compared to the slick format and presentation we see today. But a figure like Bill O’Reilly, in particular, owes a tremendous debt to Downey’s confrontational, damn-the-torpedoes style of doing “news” and interviews. At the same time trash-talk-show hosts like Jerry Springer and Maury Povich also partly owe their style of crazed three-ring-circuses to Mort. Even the Reverend Al Sharpton, perpetual African-American leader and professional racial ambulance-chaser, owes a debt to Mort, appearing on his show frequently during its short run.

The documentary itself has a bizarre, strange tone to it, critical of Downey, who was a polarizing figure, but not entirely hateful or against him. At points, it’s view is like I mentioned, critical, but at others it’s almost pitying, sympathetic, with interesting animated segments scattered throughout. I suppose the pity sensation was the one I felt the most after the piece ended, he was a man who struggled with many parts of himself but also did make something strong.

The DVD comes with featurettes, trailer and a commentary. The A/V Quality is pretty strong for a standard definition documentary. The Dolby 5.1 track drops background dialogue at times. Still, it works for what it is. In the end, I’d recommend a purchase.

RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW!

THE PLOT THUS FAR

Nothing Left to Fear was inspired by the legend of Stull, Kansas. Wendy (Anne Heche), her husband Dan (James Tupper of Revenge) and their kids have just moved to the small town of Stull, Kansas, where Dan is the new pastor. But in this sleepy community of friendly neighbors, a horrific series of occurrences awaits them: Their teenage daughter (Rebekah Brandes of Bellflower) is being tormented by grisly visions. Her younger sister (Jennifer Stone of Wizards of Waverly Place) has been marked for a depraved ritual. And deep within the heartland darkness, one of The Seven Gates of Hell demands the blood of the innocent to unleash the creatures of the damned. Ethan Peck (10 Things I Hate About You) and Clancy Brown (The Shawshank Redemption) co-star in this demonic shocker featuring original music by producer Slash and inspired by the real-life paranormal legacy of Stull. Nothing Left to Fear is the first film from Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Slash’s production company, Slasher Films, and was written by Jonathon W.C. Mills and directed by Anthony Leonardi III.

WHAT WE THOUGHT

Wendy and Pastor Dan have arrived in a new town. The guy that they are replacing is fruit loop that leads to weird issues of possession. There are some decent moments to be had, but this is a film that is desperately in search of a point. That’s not to mention the litany of teen actors who function as drift wood. If this is the best that Slash has to offer, then stick to rock.

The depths of modern horror are shallow. We have pastiche, rip-offs and paper thin original ideas. When one views them on a long enough timeline, their shortcomings become more apparent. I’m not the bearer of bad news, but I wish to issue more of a call to arms. Horror is easy and can turn a fast profit. While this means that a lot of bad ideas get out there, let’s work together as fans to weed out the crap.

The Blu-Ray comes with a DVD copy, commentary and behind the scenes featurette. The 1080p transfer is strong enough. However, I found that the Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track lacked any real definition. It was a bit of scattershot jump scare cues and nothing else. In the end, I’d only recommend a rental to the curious.

RELEASE DATE: 10/08/2013

THE PLOT THUS FAR

‘Amazing is an understatement. He was brilliant.` So says the Queen of Soul in this Grammy nominated documentary chronicling the life and career of `One of the greatest producers of the 20th Century` who produced more than 50 gold and platinum records with sales topping 50 million units. Supported with a treasure trove of archival footage, photos, music and in-depth interviews with Sir George Martin, Bette Midler, The Bee Gees, Hall & Oates, Phil Collins, Norah Jones, Barbra Streisand, and more.

WHAT WE THOUGHT

“The Greatest Ears in Town” celebrates the life of Arif Mardin. It’s a standard celebratory piece about how awesome it is to work in the industry for decades. Honestly, I have to say that it’s well made with just the right amount of interviews. Normally, it’s easy to poo-poo these affairs due to the ability to turn into puff pieces. However, this film serves as an extended time capsule for the industry.

What’s so impressive is that the guy worked with everyone from the Bee Gees to Norah Jones to indirect work on the South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut soundtrack. If you had to balance the material, I could see acts getting cut. But, the presentation of the acts in this documentary showcase its history. Somehow, I feel like I’m not selling how informative the material will be.

The DVD comes with no substantial special features other than the extra interview footage. However, the A/V Quality holds up across the board. The transfer is pretty flat and the full PCM 48K track supports the dialogue. That being said, it wasn’t meant to blow out your home theater. In the end, I’d recommend a purchase to fans of rock history.

RELEASE DATE: 11/05/2013

THE PLOT THUS FAR

After their cave is destroyed, a caveman family must trek through an unfamiliar fantastical world with the help of an inventive boy.

WHAT WE THOUGHT

“The Croods” offers a set of ridiculous sequences to easily get to know about these characters. When it finally proceeds to the actual plot, it tells something sophisticated. It’s an opposition between safety and getting away from your comfort zone. It ends up being obvious when it is suppose to be complex. But that is what the film wants, be simple and delightful all the way. The film doesn’t necessarily need to be deep or emotional, but there is something clever to its concept that could have been

What makes “The Croods” work so well are the characters, which were likable and interesting: Instead of being just bland archetypes, each one of them had their own virtues and flaws: That makes their interaction in the story to be funny and slightly more complex than in other Dreamworks movies, which rely too much in scatological humor and tired cultural references. Fortunately, “The Croods” avoids those kind of content, including instead of that some little black comedy elements which adults viewers would appreciate.

The Blu-Ray comes with a DVD and Digital HD Copy. You get featurette, cut scenes, a coloring app and a ton of related stuff. The A/V Quality is pretty sharp with a keen 1080p transfer. Plus, the DTS-HD 7.1 master audio track really pops across the field. The fourth quarter of 2013 is really killing it in terms of audio quality. In the end, I’d recommend a purchase.

RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW!

THE PLOT THUS FAR

A crash landing leaves Kitai Raige and his father Cypher stranded on Earth, a millennium after events forced humanity’s escape. With Cypher injured, Kitai must embark on a perilous journey to signal for help.

WHAT WE THOUGHT

“After Earth” offers some initial exposition about why humanity has fled the Earth. Blah, blah and the movie begins. One of the main war heroes in the battle against the Ursa is General Cypher Kaige. Cypher is a tough, battle-hardened military man who seems to have a hard time differentiating his work life from his home life. His son is Kitai, a young boy who desperately wants his father’s approval, and is trying for a position in the military, but fears he will never live up to dad’s lofty expectations for him. Kitai is also haunted by the memory of seeing his older sister, Senshi, being killed by an Ursa right before his eyes. Cypher’s wife suggests a father-son space voyage, so that they can bond. This doesn’t go very well, as the ship is severely damaged in an asteroid belt, killing everyone on board except Cypher and Kitai, and sending the ship crashing on the abandoned planet Earth.

However, a better script would have helped matters. Kitai must now go into rescue mode, wearing his amazing technicolor space suit, fighting beasts and creatures along the way to becoming a man. On his journey of self-awareness, Kitai contends with imminent peril: giant baboons, poisonous leeches, carnivorous tigers, and such. He needs to deal with the fluctuating below-freezing temperatures and an active volcano too. Life is hard. Kitai even battles a monster called the Ursa, a predator that hunts by sensing fear.

The DVD comes with an Ultraviolet Digital Copy, featurettes and related info. The A/V Quality is sharp enough for standard definition. The Dolby 5.1 track works for what it is, plus the mutant whales sound good. It works for what it is. I’d recommend a rental for the curious.

RELEASE DATE: 10/08/2013

THE PLOT THUS FAR

Kate & Humphrey and their 3 wolf cubs (Stinky, Claudette and Runt) are happily preparing to celebrate their first winter together when their smallest cub, Runt, mysteriously disappears. They must now go on a new journey across the wilderness to find and bring back Runt before the winter snows block their way home. It’s their greatest adventure yet, filled with action and suspense as well as plenty of the humor and heartwarming moments that were delivered in the first theatrical release. While their adventure does not end exactly as planned, Kate & Humphrey discover that “Home is where the Family Is.

WHAT WE THOUGHT

“Alpha and Omega 2” was a sequel that no one really wanted. But, kids will watch cartoon animals and there is money to be made. The animation was handled by an Indian CG company and it works pretty well. I just can’t see many kids caring about a missing wolf cub when they have a hard enough time remembering the two characters from the last movie. Maybe, I’m wrong?

There’s something about DTV animated sequels. The wolves learn that home is where your family is. But, it takes nearly ninety minutes for it to happen. Why does every random idea need a sequel? Animation takes awhile and why doesn’t this cross anyone’s mind while they’re staying at the same cel over and over again. I guess that I ask too much.

The Blu-Ray comes with a quiz and featurettes. You also get a DVD and Digital HD Copy. The 1080p transfer is really strong for a DTV flick. That being said, I wish the DTS-HD 5.1 master audio track became more dynamic. In the end, I’d recommend a purchase to parents of young kids.

RELEASE DATE: 10/08/2013  (available exclusively at Wal-Mart)

MEET SOME OF THE GANG

Runt is the youngest cub of Kate and Humphrey’s litter. He is funny, rambunctious and caring, but always feels the need to prove that he is just as good as his alpha brother and sister.

Claudette and Stinky are the two alpha cubs from Kate and Humphrey’s litter. Both are very smart and love their brother Runt. They strive to do the right thing, and although their intentions are good their inexperience gets them into trouble.