DVD Talk: July 2014 Archives

Planning a trip to the local multiplex this weekend? Here are DVD Talk's reviews of the latest theatrical releases: Guardians of the Galaxy [a 2nd review] - a mixture of comedy, action, and honesty that works... the audience will cheer when the end title promises that the Guardians will be back; and Code Black - documentary feature that sets out to capture a detailed snapshot of a very real ER. Other recent films include: Lucy, A Most Wanted Man, Magic in the Moonlight, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Boyhood, Transformers: Age of Extinction, Snowpiercer, Transformers: Age of Extinction, Snowpiercer, Chef, 22 Jump Street, How to Train Your Dragon 2, The Signal, Edge of Tomorrow, The Fault in Our Stars, Maleficent, Night Moves, A Million Ways to Die in the West, X-Men: Days of Future Past, Godzilla. Check out these, and more, in DVDTalk's Theatrical Review section.

Some great TV shows have made their way onto DVD this week including: Adventure Time: Princess Day - a hipster-friendly amalgam of classic mythology, alternative comedy, unabashed surrealism, and the '80s films of Amblin Entertainment; Six by Sondheim - an energetic and informative biography of the famed composer told through both his words and his art; and Ripcord: Complete Season 1 - this TV show from way back in 1960 stars Larry "Dash Riprock" Pennell and Ken "Festus" Curtis as skydiving buccaneers/private detectives/secret agents/emergency medical personnel/Good Samaritans Ted McKeever and Jim Buckley. Other shows recently reviewed include: Orphan Black: Season 2, Vera, Set 3, and Perry Mason Movie Collection Double Feature. Want more? Check out all of the TV on DVD reviews in the DVD Talk database.

This week the DVD Savant has a number of new reviews and articles including: Radio Days - Woody Allen's most affectionate & nostalgic feature is an ode to the grandeur of '40s radio; Witness for the Prosecution - Billy Wilder shakes up Agatha Christie's whodunnit classic with snappy dialogue, witty humor and razor-sharp direction. The genuinely terrific cast -- Charles Laughton, Marlene Dietrich, Tyrone Power, Elsa Lanchester -- elevates the nail-biting courtroom drama genre into high art; and The Squeeze - Savant's latest Brit Crime discovery is this excellent kidnapping caper picture from Michael Apted, starring Stacy Keach, David Hemmings, Edward Fox, Stephen Boyd and Carol White... alcoholic ex-cop Keach must hustle to get his act together when vicious hoods kidnap his ex-wife and her daughter Read all this and more in this week's DVD Savant.

This week several great movies are coming out, including a few that shouldn't be missed: Noah [review] - Paramount's Blu-ray looks and sounds utterly phenomenal and while the stark boldness won't be to everyone's tastes, the journey and destination are all quite absorbing; Separate Tables [review] - a terrific drama that grapples with some heavy issues with a delicate touch and sensitive insight... an all-star cast includes Oscar-winners David Niven and Deborah Kerr, as well as a forceful performance by Burt Lancaster; and Paris Blues [review] - Paul Newman and Sidney Poitier star as musicians who have left America in search of success and find themselves being drawn back home when two women (Joanne Woodward and Diahann Carroll) come over from the States and in search of vacation love affairs. Other reviews of note include Mystery Science Theater 3000: XXX [review], The Big Chill: Criterion Collection [review], and Bubble Guppies: Get Ready for School! [review]. Be sure to check out our DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

Check out the latest DVD reviews that have been entered into the DVD Talk Review Database including: Born Yesterday - a revered comedy that delivers the laughs, this film made Judy Holliday a star and earned her an Academy Award in the process; Cesar Chavez - a quality dramatized history lesson with an inspirational story which is still remarkably relevant to our time; and Watermark - this 93-minute documentary explores our planet's relationship with one of its most valuable resources... a release no documentary fan should pass up. Other recent reviews include: Ping Pong Summer, Brannigan, and Another Dawn. Visit the DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

This week Greg Bakun begins a series of articles for Brit-Streaming looking at the final series of Agatha Christieâ€™s Poirot. This beloved series has been on the air since 1989 and sadly comes to an end this month. AcornTV is making these episodes available on their streaming service with many of the episodes as exclusives to the service. The first article looks at the premiere episode of Series 13, The Big Four. This episode is a lot more than style over substance as we follow Poirot through a complicated series of events. Who are the people behind the Big Four and why are they trying to edge the UK closer to the Second World War? In addition to the in-depth look at this episode, there is a ton of information about what is coming up on AcornTV and what to look out for during the month of August. Read all this, and more, in the latest installment of Brit-Streaming!

Before you head off to the cinema this weekend, check out DVD Talk's reviews of the latest releases including: Lucy [a 2nd review] - Scarlett Johansson stars in writer/director Luc Besson's film that should be a high point of this summer's movie crop... but isn't; Magic in the Moonlight - Woody Allen continues to churn out reliably entertaining movies that would be easy to take for granted, but you shouldn't... this one is worth checking out; and A Most Wanted Man - Anton Corbijn's adaptation of a John Le Carre novel deals with the shadowy waters of international intelligence and stars Philip Seymour Hoffman in his last role. Other recent films include: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Boyhood, Transformers: Age of Extinction, Snowpiercer, Transformers: Age of Extinction, Snowpiercer, Chef, 22 Jump Street, How to Train Your Dragon 2, The Signal, Edge of Tomorrow, The Fault in Our Stars, Maleficent, Night Moves, A Million Ways to Die in the West, X-Men: Days of Future Past, Godzilla, Neighbors, and The Amazing Spider-Man 2.. Check out these, and more, in DVDTalk's Theatrical Review section.

Some great TV shows have made their way onto DVD this week including: Regular Show: The Complete Third Season - Bob Belcher and his family have taken over the top spot among animated TV clans, delivering the funny every episode, without relying on crutches or easy jokes, a matter proven in the show's terrific third season; Mapp & Lucia: The Complete Collection - spiteful, hateful fun... if you like your British comedy full of well-spoken malice, then this series is right up your alley; and Eastbound & Down: Season 4 - this forth season was conceived as a way to show Kenny Powers in a more positive, nay "normal" light. It succeeds in spades. Other shows recently reviewed include: Mountain Men: Season 2, Covert Affairs: Season 4, and Moonshiners Season 2. Want more? Check out all of the TV on DVD reviews in the DVD Talk database.

For the past few years, fans have been attending Anime Midwest watching it grow as each year passes by. Now in it's fourth year, over eight thousand fans flocked to the halls of the Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Rosemont, Illinois to join on this year's sure to be exciting festivities. DVD Talk's resident otaku, Kyle Mills, decided to make the trek across nearly 350 miles to experience Anime Midwest 2014 and found that there were many things to love about the con, despite some disorganization (which is to be expected with conventions). The con featured a great guest list, headlined by one of the biggest anime voice over names in the business, some fantastic panels, concerts, a spacious dealer's/artist's alley, numerous video game and card game rooms, either for leisurely play or tournaments. Read Kyle's complete coverage of the event in this exclusive DVD Talk report!

This week the DVD Savant has a number of new reviews and articles including: Hearts and Minds - The first and most affecting anti-war documentary about Vietnam told truths that Americans didn't want to hear, just as Watergate and the failed war were winding down; The Scalphunters - Burt Lancaster's western ego-fest has him sparring with escaped slave Ossie Davis, while struggling to retrieve the furs he's trapped from a friendly (but greedy) Indian chief; and Violent Saturday - Stephen McNally, J. Carrol Naish and Lee Marvin pull off a bank heist that cuts a bloody swath through several soapy relationships. Read all this and more in this week's DVD Savant.

Some pretty cool discs are being released this week. Check out these new titles: Sympathy for Mr Vengeance [review] - this movie holds up now as more than just a shocking novelty... the artistry of Park Chan-Wook and the three-dimensional performances by the entire cast make the film emotionally affecting and not just startling; Insomnia [review] - Erik Skjoldbjerg makes a fantastic debut with this 1997 film and transforms what was originally a conventional cop story into an unsettling, well-constructed thriller that leaves a lasting impression; and Blue Ruin [review] - director Jeremy Saulnier expertly balances the buzzing energy of vengeance cinema with the measured, introspective drama of a character study. Other reviews of note include Haunted House on Sorority Row [review], Sabotage [review], and Sabata [review]. Be sure to check out our DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

Some cool discs have been reviewed over the past week. Check out these recent entries: Scanners -The movie holds up well - a smart and well-made mix of intense science fiction and horror delivered through director David Cronenberg's skewed sensibility; Witness for the Prosecution - this classic remains entertaining and enjoyable from start to finish, whether you know the twists and turns by heart or if it's your first trip through the wringer; and Separate Tables - a terrific drama that grapples with some heavy issues with a delicate touch and sensitive insight with an all-star cast including Oscar-winners David Niven and Deborah Kerr as well as a forceful performance by Burt Lancaster. Other recent reviews include: The Cisco Kid, We're in Movies: Palace of Silents & Itinerant Fimmaking, and Cardinal Richelieu. Visit the DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

Check out DVD Talk's latest reviews of movies that are in theatrical release. This week's crop includes: The Purge: Anarchy - an entertaining action thriller that thrives off of its chases... even if you couldn't stand the original, this is a sequel worth a checking out; and I Origins - there's an abundance of deep concepts and messages to be found in this film, it is is an engaging picture that incites discussion, as any decent piece of cinema should. Other recent films include: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Boyhood, Transformers: Age of Extinction, Snowpiercer, Transformers: Age of Extinction, Snowpiercer, Chef, 22 Jump Street, How to Train Your Dragon 2, The Signal, Edge of Tomorrow, The Fault in Our Stars, Maleficent, Night Moves, A Million Ways to Die in the West, X-Men: Days of Future Past, Godzilla, Neighbors, and The Amazing Spider-Man 2.. Check out these, and more, in DVDTalk's Theatrical Review section.

Interested in the latest TV on DVD reviews? DVD Talk has you covered! This week's notable entries include: Regular Show: The Complete Third Season - a beautifully surreal, deadpan hilarious mixture of workplace sitcom and wild slacker/gamer flights of sci-fi fancy, frequently blown up to hysterical, epic proportions; Jack Taylor: Set 2 - in this second collection of episodes, Taylor is a more engaging character, the mysteries are darker and leave you guessing, and the series spanning character developments are critical in building an organic world for star Iain Glen to tear up with his wonderful performance; and The Legend of Korra - Book Two: Spirits - this second outing still manages to deliver some hefty adventure, thrilling twists, and a spiritual quest that is far more impressive and notable to find than most would ever imagine encountering with a family-friendly animated program. Other shows recently reviewed include: Ranma 1/2 Set 2, Kung Fu: The Legend Continues: The Complete First Season, and WWE: WCW's Greatest PPV Matches. Want more? Check out all of the TV on DVD reviews in the DVD Talk database.

This week the DVD Savant has a number of new reviews and articles including: The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes - Billy Wilder's superb epic about the World's Greatest Consulting Detective remains his most rewarding late-career feature; Caught - An ambitious, penniless woman chases a fairy tale scenario of marrying a rich Prince Charming, only to find herself the 'property' of a tyrannical millionaire; and Picnic at Hanging Rock - Peter Weir's Victorian puzzle picture about disappearing schoolgirls on a hike hasn't dimmed in interest. We're still trying to figure out whodunnit, or what kind of supernatural hoodoo voodoo made them vanish into thin air. Read all this and more in this week's DVD Savant.

Another banner week for DVDs with the studios releasing some great films and boxed sets such as: Black Dynamite: Season One [review] - this slight retooling of the feature film's subversive mix of comedy, action and tongue-in-cheek Blaxploitation is wildly entertaining; Under the Skin [review] - Scarlett Johansson stars in this dark and atmospheric film that asks viewers to pay attention and piece together the story on their own; and Deadly Eyes [review] - if you enjoy goofy animal attack/nature run amok films then consider this one recommended... it definitely is entertaining. Be sure to check out our DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

Our reviewers have been busy this week, filling the DVD Talk Review Database more great entries. Some new reviews of note include: Judex -A marvelously entertaining film that will be a real find for those seeing it for the first time,; The Spike Lee Joint Collection, Vol. 1 - a great way to own two of Lee's best films, 25th Hour and He Got Game, in high definition... both represent Lee at his best, a director that captures authentic drama and multifaceted characters caught in complex situations; and Blue Ruin - director Jeremy Saulnier expertly balances the buzzing energy of vengeance cinema with the measured, introspective drama of a character study. Other recent reviews include: Operation Petticoat, Cousin Jules, and Alien Boy. Visit the DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

Check out DVD Talk's latest reviews of movies that are in theatrical release. This week's crop includes: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes [a 2nd review] - a huge step forward for the franchise... while it's action-packed, there's actual substance to the plot. This is a powerful summer blockbuster that loves to exceed expectations; Boyhood [a 2nd review] - director Richard Linklater; began shooting this film in 2002 when his young lead, Ellar Coltrane, was 7 years old... for the next twelve years, he gathered his cast back together and shot a few more scenes in the child's life. He turned what could have been a chaotic mess into an absorbing cinematic experience; and Rifftrax Live: Sharknado - this was the best Rifftrax Live event so far, and if you missed it there is a repeat showing on July 15th. Other recent films include: Transformers: Age of Extinction, Snowpiercer, Transformers: Age of Extinction, Snowpiercer, Chef, 22 Jump Street, How to Train Your Dragon 2, The Signal, Edge of Tomorrow, The Fault in Our Stars, Maleficent, Night Moves, A Million Ways to Die in the West, X-Men: Days of Future Past, Godzilla, Neighbors, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, , Locke, Transcendence, Captain America: The Winter Soldier and, Muppets Most Wanted. Check out these, and more, in DVDTalk's Theatrical Review section.

This week the DVD Savant has a number of new reviews and articles including: The Time Machine - George Pal's vintage Sci-Fi classic gets the HD treatment with a bright transfer that brings out the snarly personality in our favorite glow-eyed, goofy-faced Morlocks; A Hard Day's Night - Criterion has brought out the Beatles' smash hit and revolutionary cinematic game-changer in a proper form, with an original mono mix and two different stereo mixes; and Operation Petticoat - A savvy commercial concoction from 1959, dreamed up by writer Stanley Shapiro, producer Cary Grant and director Blake Edwards. Read all this and more in this week's DVD Savant.

TV on DVD remains very popular with more and more favorites being released. New TV reviews include: Black Dynamite: Season One - a brash, confident new series that's hugely enjoyable thanks to the anything-goes atmosphere, gonzo art style, unhinged humor and subversive plots; The Bridge: Season 1 - when a boady is discoverd on the US/Mexico border, a U.S. cop has to work the case with her counterpart in the Tijuana PD; and Happy Days: Season 5 - the phrase "jump the shark" was coined after an episode in this set, and while the fifth season is hit-and-miss the ratio is more heavily weighted toward the hits. Other shows recently reviewed include: The Jetsons: Season 3, Curious George: Season 7, and WWE Ultimate Warrior: The Ultimate Collection. Want more? Check out all of the TV on DVD reviews in the DVD Talk database.

Some great discs are being released this week. Check out these new movies: Bad Words [review] - a smart, touching and darkly comic film--a gem of a directorial debut for Jason Bateman, with fine performances all around; Nymphomanic Vol 1 & Vol 2 [review] - an artistic, beautiful film that's obviously intended to push buttons, ... if von Trier's intention was to make the audience share the feelings of his main character, then mission accomplished; and Jodorowsky's Dune [review] - this whirlwind account of a film project that was never completed features plenty of face time with the director and other participants including artists Chris Foss and H.R. Giger and plays like some of the best behind-the-scenes documentaries you've seen. Other reviews of note include Caught [review], Bloody Moon [review], and The Raid 2 [review]. Be sure to check out our DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

Our reviewers have been busy this week, filling the DVD Talk Review Database more great entries. Some new reviews of note include: The Grand Budapest Hotel - Wes Anderson's film has enough inventiveness and creativity to keep things interesting and anyone with an interest in visually imaginative films will find something to enjoy; Hearts And Minds: Criterion Collection - Peter Davis' landmark documentary isa crucial account of the troubled conflict in Viet Nam that created unrest both overseas and here at home; and Cannibal Holocaust - the Star Wars of cannibal movies, this film has lost none of its power to shock and this 3-Disc set simply cements the reputation. Other recent reviews include: Mirage Men, Stranger By The Lake, and The Ringer. Visit the DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

DVD Talk's exclusive look at British TV available over the Internet, Brit-Streaming, returns! After a much-too-long absence, Greg Bakun takes his remote in hand, switches on his set, and streams the best television shows from across the pond as shown on Acorn TV. This time he discusses the not-to-be-missed airing of the final episodes of Agatha Christie's Poirot, lists the new shows that will be available on the service, and has an in-depth look at Father Brown. Check out all this and more in Brit-Streaming.

Some great TV shows have made their way onto DVD this week including: House of Cards: Season 2 - a good show, looking at the cold, calculating nature of politics and how those who exploit seem to be willing to put themselves in exploitable situations; Masters of Sex - Season One - with beautiful visuals, fantastic acting and some intense drama this show comes highly recommended; and Brazil With Michael Palin - the Monty Python member takes a a colorful, entertaining, and sometimes surprising journey around the fifth largest country in the world. Other shows recently reviewed include: Sinbad: Make Me Wanna Holla, Dragon Ball Z: Season 5, and WWE: WrestleMania XXX. Want more? Check out all of the TV on DVD reviews in the DVD Talk database.

This week the DVD Savant has a number of new reviews and articles including: Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid - Nunnally Johnson wrote and produced this delightfully funny tale of a mid-life crisis suffered by the affable William Powell. Despondent at entering middle age, he hears a Siren's Call and catches a living, breathing, kissing mermaid of his own, Ann Blyth; Judex - Georges Franju's re-think of Louis Feuillade's silent French serial is a marvelous concoction of pulp thrills, delicate treachery and fantastic semi-surreal images; and L'eclisse - Frustrated Monica Vitti ditches one lover and finds another yet fails to make a truly personal contact and can't make sense of her affluent but empty life. Read all this and more in this week's DVD Savant.

There are some new titles coming out that might make it worth a trip to the video store this week. Check out these recent releases: The Lunchbox [review] - The first-time feature filmmaker Ritesh Batra creates an intelligent character-based drama with wonderful performances; Lovejoy: Series 1 [review] - a sophisticated, witty comedy/mystery series, this is a delight... Ian McShane is effortlessly engaging as the perennially broke antiques "divvy" who loves works of art more than a stable income; and The Unknown Known [review] - Donald Rumsfeld's unlikely consent to being interviewed for hours on end by one his biggest critics pretty much makes it worth watching at least once. Be sure to check out our DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.