THE PLOT THUS FAR

Sherlock Holmes*the most famous fictional detective in the world was also the first Crime Scene Investigator. Based on a real surgeon, Holmes was a scientist who used chemistry*bloodstains*and minute traces of evidence to solve the crime. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle added his own knowledge of fledgling forensic techniques to create the fictional sleuth and his revolutionary crime-scene methods*set in an era when eyewitness reports and ‘smoking gun’ evidence were needed to convict criminals*and when police incompetence meant that Jack the Ripper stalked the
streets freely. Forensic scientists*crime historians*and Sherlockian experts reveal for the first time the astonishing impact the fictional detective had on the development of real-life criminal investigation and forensic techniques. Using a mix of interviews*dramatic recreations*and archival footage*HOW SHERLOCK CHANGED THE WORLD details the impact and legacy of the most famous crime fighter in history.

WHAT WE THOUGHT

“How Sherlock Holmes Changed the World” is a pretty straightforward documentary. I’m a Holmes fan, so I appreciated the non Guy Ritchie flair added to the history and origins of Holmes. However, I feel like we’re getting to the tip of the iceberg by the time the feature ends. I could’ve stood to have seen a mini-series about the legendary detective. But, I guess that I’m in a minority regarding detective fiction.

The DVD comes with no special features. However, you get two discs stacked to the gills. The A/V Quality is on par with a standard definition PBS broadcast. I just wish there was something more spectacular to be seen. In the end, I’d recommend a purchase to the curious.

RELEASE DATE: 11/26/2013

THE PLOT THUS FAR

The Malibu beach house men have matrimony on the brain in Season Ten. But where the heart (or other body part) is concerned, even the most honorable dude can screw up. Billionaire entrepreneur Walden Schmidt (Ashton Kutcher) extends an extravagant proposal only to indulge in a fling with a stalker before finding true love under an assumed identity. Nebbish housemate Alan Harper (Jon Cryer) decides life with his longtime girlfriend is better with her than without, then gets caught in an internet scandal with his super hot ex-wife. And newly enlisted man Jake (Angus T. Jones) pops the Big Q to a tattoo queen twice his age, then decides he likes her daughter better! It’s just what dudes do while under the influence of testosterone, women’s wiles, and Berta’s occasional pot brownies. Catch the hilarious contact high on all 23 manful episodes.

WHAT WE THOUGHT

“Two and a Half Men” has been on the air for ten years? How in the hell does a nation let that happen? Much was made over how terrible last season became, but it’s not like CBS is ever going to gut their cash cow. Hell, it took three consecutive shit seasons before FOX put House out of our misery.  Miley Cyrus shows up in some episodes here, but she’s still going through that awful butch haircut phase. She’s a pretty girl that likes smoking Salvia, America wants to like Miley and Molly. Just let us.

Sheen brought out the best in the supporting characters, while Kutcher seems to be one of many, which leaves the show without a lead character. Without Sheen, Alan, Jake, and the rest of the cast are rudderless and though the same writers are still providing the lines, the show is flat, unfunny, and impossible to watch because it is so bad. If this show had been pitched with Kutcher instead of Sheen, it would have never become a TV series. Nevertheless, that’s where this season went.

The DVD comes with a featurette and gag reel as the special features. The A/V Quality is strong with a supportive transfer and a Dolby audio track. The Dolby track doesn’t get much back channel action outside of the few major slapstick scenes. In the end, I’d recommend a purchase to fans.

RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW!

THE PLOT THUS FAR

Two salesmen whose careers have been torpedoed by the digital age find their way into a coveted internship at Google, where they must compete with a group of young, tech-savvy geniuses for a shot at employment.

WHAT WE THOUGHT

“The Internship” follows two salesmen who lose their jobs and are determined to prove they are not obsolete in this digital world. When they find their way into an internship at Google, they must prove that they are not obsolete but a necessity to the new age workforce and themselves. This film has taken a beating in the box office as well as reviews, but isn’t nearly as bad as some have made it out to be. That being said it doesn’t offer a whole lot either. Sure there is the argument of it being one big commercial for Google and it is on some level, but these days every movie has some sort of product placement, they just weren’t as subtle about it.

With limited space let’s move on to the comedy. The Internship switches gears from odd/awkward sex scenarios that floods the dialog and bounces into the land of stereotypical nerds, generation gaps, and new experiences that go a different route. For me this allowed for some balance in humor, with many of the “inspirational” speeches and geek events making me laugh at points through the movie. Character references from star wars, insults using computer vernacular, and dressing up as literature with some pizazz await those who go to this movie, so be ready for this humor. I like the diversity, and some of the creativity these guys did, but from the responses of the other audience members that wasn’t the same case.

The Blu-Ray comes with a DVD copy, Digital HD copy, deleted scenes, commentary, featurette and two cuts of the movie. The A/V Quality is pretty sharp for a recent release. We get a 1080p transfer that shines, plus the DTS-HD 5.1 master audio track stands up for a comedy set at Google. Still, it’s a very mediocre mainstream comedy. In the end, I’d recommend a purchase.

RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW!