THE PLOT THUS FAR

Leverage focuses on a team led by former insurance investigator turned thief, Nate Ford (Hutton). Together, they try to level the playing field for people whose lives have been destroyed by the rich and powerful. In the final season of Leverage, the team will be forced to face changing personal dynamics as the relationship between Parker (Riesgraf) and Hardison (Hodge) heats up, and Nate continues to struggle with inner demons. Among their upcoming jobs, they will target a conniving shipping executive (guest star Cary Elwes); weathly scientist; an ex-hockey-player-turned-team-owner (guest star Treat Williams); a corrupt restaurateur; and a corrupt businessman (guest star Matthew Lillard). In addition, the team will once again face their nemesis, insurance-investigator-turned Interpol-agent Jim Sterling (guest star Mark Sheppard).

WHAT WE THOUGHT

Apparently they can do everything they want. So it leaves the bad guys with no chance to fight no matter how powerful they are. The Hardison guy can hack computer system out of thin air. Elliot can kick asses of 100 guys without getting a scratch. Sophie can get into every circle and the bad guys don’t even do a good background check. The Fifth Season is more of the same, so you get what you get. It’s a lot like those 90s syndicated shows that were half spy drama/half super heroics.

And they are superheros in this show, with all of the teenage fantasy ideas that come along with that. The computer guy has access to anything digital he needs without a bead of sweat; the fighter can dispatch anyone of any size without even getting his hair mussed; the thief can go anywhere she likes without even coming close to being detected; and the grifter, despite being the worst actress anyone has ever seen on the stage, never comes close to being discovered when she is on the con.

The DVD comes with commentaries, deleted scenes and a gag reel as the special features. The A/V Quality is strong with a supportive transfer and a Dolby 5.1 track. The Dolby 5.1 track doesn’t get much back channel action outside of the few major action scenes. In the end, I’d recommend a rental.

RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW!

THE PLOT THUS FAR

Four sets of siblings struggle to work out their differences in this episodic comedy-drama from writer and director Carl Bessai. Rory (Dustin Milligan) is an idealistic young man who was always the pride of his family, but while he was away in Africa doing charity work, his brother Justin (Cory Monteith) rose to stardom as an actor, and now that Justin is wealthy and famous, tension has grown between him and Rory. Sarah (Kacey Rohl) is a sullen teenager who doesn’t get along with her mother (Gabrielle Rose), and matters get worse when Sarah is introduced to Sita (Leena Manro), a half-sister she never knew she had. Nikki (Amanda Crew) wants to be a movie star, and Henry (Tom Scholte) claims he has the connections that could get her an important role; however, he doesn’t have a car, and tells her he’s willing to make some introductions in exchange for a drive to Los Angeles. Nikki agrees, but Henry is miffed when her ill-tempered sister Maggie (Camille Sullivan) insists on tagging along. And while Louise (Gabrielle Miller) idolized her older brother when she was little, now that Jerry (Benjamin Ratner) has grown into a schizophrenic with severe mood swings, she no longer knows what to do with him or for him.

WHAT WE THOUGHT

“Sisters & Brothers” doesn’t know what it wants to be. Half of the time it feels like a “People Like Us” knock-off, the rest of the time it feels like a chore. I know that we’re all supposed to be giving Cory Monteith a pass now that he’s dead, but he was a terrible actor. He’s got the screen presence of an unwanted extra. I could go on, but even I’m tired of bemoaning never-ending melodramas with plots that are convoluted to hide the fact that they don’t matter.

Even if it takes a while to figure everyone out, there’s still this undercurrent throughout the movie that no matter what crap life throws at you or between you and your family, and how much you might disagree and hate what they’re doing or saying to you, it’s still family, and there’s really no person on earth that will ever really understand you or be willing to be there and support you through the biggest mistakes that you might be making. Essentially I got my own view of family and siblings echoed in these little stories.

The Blu-Ray comes with no special features. The A/V Quality is strong with a supportive 1080P transfer and a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track. The Dolby TrueHD track doesn’t get much back channel action outside of the few major drama scenes. In the end, I’d recommend a rental.

RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW!

THE PLOT THUS FAR

While attending a party at James Franco’s house, Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel and many other celebrities are faced with the apocalypse.

WHAT WE THOUGHT

Seth and Jay were just supposed to blaze up and play Killzone on Seth’s 3D TV. But, James Franco had to throw a party and end a friendship. Then, the Apocalypse happened. The preceding festivities don’t last very long though and most of the party-goers are dispatched quickly as earthquakes, explosions, massive sinkholes and firestorms strike the Hollywood hills wiping out most of the population not suddenly taken to Heaven in radiant blue steaks of light.

Left to their own devices, the five surviving actors barricade themselves inside and try to come to grips with what’s going on. Jay Baruchel, in his infinite wisdom, comes to an early conclusion that this is the Apocalypse and if they will turn to God, they will be saved and instantly ascend into Paradise. The others don’t quite agree, so there are various scenes of panic, fear, fighting, backstabbing, drug abuse and demonic possession during the bulk of this end-of-world sleepover

The film wastes no time with story but remains competent enough to be interesting. Rather than using any personal religious beliefs the film harnesses a very traditional Christian apocalypse for the sake of simplicity and approachability. As a whole, This is The End is a film right with humility, never afraid to poke fun at any of the great staring cast. It is often crude, as many of their careers have been, it’s rife with drugs and alcohol, but at the end of the day it’s making fun of their lifestyle and their often foolish world views.

The DVD comes with an Ultraviolet Digital Copy, featurettes and commentary. The transfer is pretty solid for standard definition. Plus, the Dolby 5.1 track kicks in at just the right time. I wish I would’ve seen this in HD, but I’ll take what I can get. In the end, I’d recommend a purchase.

RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW!