Jeff Nelson's DVD Talk DVD Reviews

Frances Ha

Thu, 16 May 2013 06:50:36 PDT

Highly Recommended

Some of the most enthralling films are those that capture humanity. Certain experiences have the power to change our psychological state and transform us for the better. Life isn't easy, as it continually attempts to knock us down and keep us there. However, we have to fight for what we want and for who we love. Movies that explore such themes make for a more genuine experience. We can all relate in one way or another to a person who is down on their luck. It's all about how we handle being in such a situation that shapes who we truly are. Frances Ha introduces its take on this idea with its main character. By the time the credits are rolling, you will be left with a smile that won't immediately be wiped off your face.

Frances (Greta Gerwig) is a New York woman w...Read the entire review

Star Trek Into Darkness (IMAX 3D)

Tue, 14 May 2013 15:12:56 PDT

Recommended

The year 2013 marks four years since director J.J. Abrams released his first Star Trek motion picture. It received tremendous critical and audience responses. I'm not a Trekkie and I found the 2009 entry to be outstanding, which truly speaks to the talent that was on board. It was bold, fresh, and highly exhilarating. Summer blockbusters aren't always able to arise such reactions out of me. Moviegoers around the world have been highly anticipating Star Trek Into Darkness, especially with the massive marketing campaign that continues to remind us of the picture's approaching release date. Now that it is finally here, there's one question that continues to be relevant. Is it able to stand as tall as J.J. Abrams' first outing in this fantastical universe?

The...Read the entire review

Aftershock (2013)

Thu, 09 May 2013 19:16:22 PDT

Rent It

Eli Roth has worked with numerous titles in the horror genre. While he hasn't directed any pictures in a while, Roth has been incredibly active in the film industry. However, he has primarily been involved in independent features, which is the case with his newest horror/thriller called Aftershock. You'll find his name in the credits three times as a co-writer, cast member, and a producer. Roth was highly involved in the picture's production, but it wasn't enough to make this a worthy horror/thriller. It's meant to play off of our fears of natural disasters and human nature, although it's never scary. After premiering for film festival moviegoers, Dimension Films acquired the rights for distribution in the United States. Aftershock had potential, but it left me d...Read the entire review

The Great Gatsby (3D) (2013)

Thu, 09 May 2013 18:56:37 PDT

Recommended

Author F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote The Great Gatsby, which was published in 1925. This novel is claimed to be a great piece of American literature, as it's being assigned in schools across the country. It has been a few years since I have read it, but I remember how the narrative plays out. Given the source material, audiences will undeniably hold extremely high expectations. I went into this picture wanting to give it the chance it deserves. Unfortunately, Baz Luhrmann's involvement as the writer/director had me worried. This motion picture could have been a lot better under another filmmaker's control. While his musical Moulin Rouge! received an Oscar nomination for Best Picture, his signature simply doesn't appear to fit this feature's tone. However, his eye fo...Read the entire review

Sightseers

Thu, 09 May 2013 18:56:37 PDT

Recommended

After seeing the atmospheric Kill List, I have been incredibly intrigued by writer/director Ben Wheatley's work. This British filmmaker impressed moviegoers around the world with his sophomore effort. Wheatley was successful with his horror/thriller, which could have easily resulted in him making similar flicks. Fortunately, this isn't the case. His third film Sightseers can be described as a dark comedy. This genre change is a bold decision, since it will likely attract a different target audience. It's always a nice surprise when a filmmaker can work within the confines of a variety of genres. This type of humor won't be a hit with all viewers, but it's worth watching in order to find out. While Sightseers didn't impress me as much as Ben Wheatley's prev...Read the entire review

What Maisie Knew

Thu, 02 May 2013 18:08:56 PDT

Highly Recommended

We see custody battles on TV, in movies, and some experience it in real life. These stories are generally told in movies from the perspective of either the mother or the father; it's rarely told from the child's point-of-view. Scott McGehee and David Siegel's What Maisie Knew is an independent drama, which explores the mind of a child through a custody battle. Countless parents fight in front of their children, but kids understand more than what most parents give them credit for. While the film is from Maisie's perspective, there isn't any narration. The audience is never told exactly what this young girl is thinking about, which actually benefits the narrative and the emotional impact. Unlike countless dramas, What Maisie Knew delivers a fervent effect, which be...Read the entire review

Iron Man 3

Thu, 02 May 2013 18:08:56 PDT

Recommended

Marvel Studios has been releasing one superhero hit after another. With summer approaching, the blockbuster features are getting ready to commence. After the insanely successful The Avengers, Marvel was hoping to continue Tony Stark's story after New York's alien invasion. Iron Man 3 has employed writer/director Shane Black, along with writer Drew Pearce. Neither of them have worked on either of the previous entries, which allows for new ideas to be introduced. Some audiences will find this to be exactly what the trilogy needs, since Iron Man 2 split viewers down the middle. While some viewers found it to an excellent superhero flick, others thought it was an absolute mess. I found it to be a letdown, especially compared to the first film in the trilogy. T...Read the entire review

Graceland

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 18:23:05 PDT

Recommended

Cinema isn't always meant to simply entertain its audiences, but sometimes it asks a series of questions for us to consider. Depending upon how you answer these inquiries, it will affect your moviegoing experience accordingly. Ron Morales' Graceland asks us to put ourselves in the main character's position. What would you do if you were in this situation? How would you behave under such terrible circumstances? When a filmmaker successfully places viewers in this position, it can create a substantial amount of tension that wouldn't be there otherwise. This technique of storytelling allows the "protagonist" and the audience to become one through the film's duration. However, this comes across as being only one of the three perspectives in this picture. The other two don't...Read the entire review

Pain & Gain

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 18:23:05 PDT

Rent It

Since 2007, director Michael Bay has been focusing on the Transformers franchise. Robot battles fit into his skill-set very well, as this filmmaker isn't necessarily known for his storytelling skills. In fact, he draws a lot of audiences to the movie theater with his over-the-top visual style. Each of Bay's motion pictures are filled to the brim with explosions and CG-work. He manages to make his action flicks look phenomenal, but they lack in the substance department. These movies are generally known to be summer blockbusters, which can easily be classified as popcorn flicks. After spending so much time with this franchise, almost any director would want to make another feature with an original concept. Pain & Gain can be judged on its own terms, but will it...Read the entire review

Oblivion (2013)

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 18:09:13 PDT

Recommended

Joseph Kosinski's TRON: Legacy reintroduced us to the world of the Programs in 2010. Fast forward three years, and you'll find this writer/director returning to the science fiction genre. His interest in this type of filmmaking is clear, but Kosinski has yet to entirely impress me. I found TRON: Legacy to be entertaining, but I have been curious to see him direct an idea of his own. While Oblivion doesn't necessarily exist as a graphic novel, Radical Publishing has illustrations that created the initial concept. The graphic novel's artist started drawing it, but quickly began developing concept art for the film. This might not be Kosinski's first original picture, but it still offers an enjoyable story, even though he takes material from multiple sci-fi fl...Read the entire review

42

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 17:05:59 PDT

Recommended

When it comes to making a film about sports, it can go one of two ways. The narrative could either focus on the game, or it could simply use the sport as a backdrop for a deeper story. Depending upon which path a filmmaker wishes to embark on, the target audience might be a little bit different. I don't usually find myself enthralled by all-out sports flicks, but 42 explores a lot more than the game of baseball. It follows a true legend, who will always be seen as being much bigger than a bat-and-ball player. His strength changed countless people around the world. Writer/director Brian Helgeland's approach might be found to be slightly corny at times, but it ultimately gives justice to the man behind the number that will never be forgotten in the world of baseball. Read the entire review

Antiviral

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 17:05:59 PDT

Rent It

David Cronenberg is known for the weird spin that he puts on his motion pictures. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, since his son, Brandon Cronenberg, has incorporated numerous aspects found in his father's features into his debut called Antiviral. This piece of arthouse cinema provides social commentary, as well as where we could end up if we continue along this path. It's difficult to place this film in a specific genre, since it combines many elements from horror, sci-fi, and more. However, it fits into the Cronenberg-feel that moviegoers are so familiar with. The plot will even deliver a similar reaction, but Brandon Cronenberg is working with his own unique ideas here. There are numerous smart concepts here that will have you hooked, yet disturbed. While a ...Read the entire review

The Lords of Salem

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 17:05:59 PDT

Skip It

Some filmmakers prefer to work with the large budgets that come along with motion pictures from Hollywood. However, they don't get the same creative freedom as those outside of the major studios. The big tradeoff is that the budget is considerably lower, which can make it difficult for a director to entirely execute their vision. Writer/director Rob Zombie is known for splitting audiences, which has ultimately led him to obtain a cult following. He creates the movies he wants to make, which I truly respect. His early pictures gained the attention of horror fans around the world with pictures, such as House of 1000 Corpses and The Devil's Rejects. The Halloween remakes are the closest he has come to mainstream cinema. He has returned to creating his own sto...Read the entire review

Simon Killer

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 13:30:03 PDT

Highly Recommended

The distribution of arthouse cinema can be tricky. This experimental form of filmmaking has a very specific target audience, which can sometimes be difficult to reach. When it's aimed towards mainstream viewers, it can receive less than desirable reactions. A perfect example of this would be Spring Breakers, since a lot of audiences simply didn't understand what writer/director Harmony Korine was trying to achieve. Antonio Campos' Simon Killer is also incredibly unconventional. Campos is known for the "punch-in-the-gut effect" that his pictures carry after his debut with Afterschool and the producer role he held in the indie-hit Martha Marcy May Marlene. If you're easily offended or are strictly looking for mindless entertainment, then this isn't th...Read the entire review

Evil Dead (2013)

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 18:43:00 PDT

Recommended

After around 30 years, horror fans continue to rejoice Sam Raimi's creation called The Evil Dead. This 1981 genre classic has stuck in viewers' minds for many years, and it has aged well. Nobody ever claimed the story is deep or that the characters are great, but it has always been able to accomplish its goals as a horror flick. It scared, shocked, and entertained audiences around the world, while developing an enormous following. In 2013, Hollywood itself is taking a shot at remaking it, but with the cleaner title of Evil Dead. My biggest concern with this announcement was that the material would be watered down for younger audiences in order to have access to a larger box office sum. However, Tri-Star appears to be glad with releasing an incredibly violent film...Read the entire review

Trance (2013)

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 18:43:00 PDT

Recommended

You know the Hollywood conventions that we've all become so familiar with? Numerous movies are released with this narrative structure each year, but the unconventional pictures are more likely to introduce a larger amount of creativity. At the same time, they aren't concerned with leaving audiences with a warm feeling inside. Danny Boyle's Trance has the very specific goal of putting its viewers within a hypnosis, similar to that of the lead character. We're left to differentiate between fantasy and reality in order to put this story's puzzle pieces together. The majority of the picture is quite fantastic, but the final act derails in ways Boyle isn't able to fix before the credits begin rolling.

Simon (James McAvoy) is an art auctioneer who is responsible for th...Read the entire review

Room 237

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 06:22:42 PDT

Highly Recommended

Film theory and criticism can be utilized by any moviegoer. You don't have to obtain a degree in order to analyze the art of filmmaking. Some directors use their mise-en-sc ne to incorporate a deeper meaning, while others assimilate an effect because it looks cool. Stanley Kubrick's The Shining is a classic that will be loved by viewers for generations. While some fans of Stephen King's novel believe that the motion picture isn't a very good adaptation, others believe that Kubrick was delivering several messages throughout the running time of this unforgettable picture. Whether or not these theories are true doesn't necessarily matter, especially since they're so intriguing to listen to. If you enjoy Stanley Kurbrick's features, such as The Shining, then Rodney A...Read the entire review

The Place Beyond the Pines

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 18:14:52 PDT

Highly Recommended

Some films are meant to provide an intense cinematic experience, while others have simply been made to follow a conventional narrative. It's always intriguing to watch how filmmakers escape from the norm in order to experiment with the way in which the story is told and the characters are portrayed. Writer/Director Derek Cianfrance became well-known for Blue Valentine, which is an incredibly moody and well-told film that tells the story of a marriage breaking apart. While Cianfrance is still exploring a sacred connection, this time he's tackling the father-son relationship. There are a lot of pictures that have clearly inspired this feature's development, but The Place Beyond the Pines pushes itself a little further by taking a multiple risks. Writer/director Der...Read the entire review

G.I. Joe: Retaliation

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 21:57:44 PDT

Rent It

When there is potential to make a profit, sequels are almost always considered by Hollywood. Regardless of a film's quality, it could receive numerous sequels. G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra was an extreme disappointment to fans and moviegoers around the world. A few years later, Paramount and Hasbro bring us a second entry called G.I. Joe: Retaliation. Allow me to assure you that this is a clear improvement over the first one. It's probable that this sequel will attract large crowds, from big G.I. Joe fans to casual moviegoers. While this movie will most certainly receive better reactions than its predecessor did, it won't be crowned as a memorable, or even a decent action flick. This feature might work as an entertaining experience for some, but it comes across as...Read the entire review

Olympus Has Fallen

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 19:33:11 PDT

Recommended

The action genre has most certainly seen better days. With disappointing attempts such as A Good Day to Die Hard, these flicks are definitely hurting. Hollywood's major studios appear to be holding onto most of the genre's more entertaining features until the summer. While these movies generally aren't very thought-provoking, these popcorn flicks allow viewers to experience escapism. Audiences leave their brains in the lobby in order to see huge explosions and an abundance of fast-paced violence. United States distributor FilmDistrict is bringing director Antoine Fuqua's Olympus Has Fallen to the big screen with the intention of drawing genre fans into the cinema. Even though I'm an action fan, my expectations were set fairly low for this motion picture. After ge...Read the entire review

The Croods

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 19:33:11 PDT

Recommended

Pixar remains to be the most popular animation studio for family members of all ages, but DreamWorks can most certainly keep up. With films such as How to Train Your Dragon, this movie studio has proven that they can compete in the constant competition for who can deliver the strongest animated motion pictures. The sequels they release are inevitable, but it's always refreshing to watch a new story unfold. Distributed by 20th Century Fox in the United States, they're hoping for a March hit from their newest animated family comedy, known as The Croods. While it isn't as funny, charming, or heartfelt as some of the other attempts at animation, this isn't a bad moviegoing experience to have with your family, even though the kids will like this more than the parents....Read the entire review

Dorfman in Love

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 19:33:11 PDT

Rent It

There aren't as many romantic comedies being released as there used to be, which could be seen as a good thing to some. My biggest issue with these mushy romance flicks would be that our lead characters are rarely charming and the directors almost never attempt to alter the formulaic structure. With the given trends of these movies, they're usually marketed towards female audiences. Every now and then, the genre provides a feature that appeals to both genders, such as (500) Days of Summer. Unfortunately, these motion pictures are considered the exceptions to the rule. Countless romance flicks try to relate to their audiences by following an everyday person. However, their love stories are so predictable, that it's difficult to become invested in the story or its charact...Read the entire review

Spring Breakers

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 18:58:14 PDT

Recommended

In 2013, spring break remains to be a time for college students to escape reality and go wild. In fact, the event seems to become more insane each year. Writer/director Harmony Korine is no stranger to filming adolescent destruction and corruption. His work is incredibly divisive between audiences, and Spring Breakers is no exception. Korine explores the trends of drug abuse, alcoholism, violence, and finding oneself in a much more exaggerated sense. Despite the heavy subject matter, the narrative simply sets the stage and allows the visuals to arrange the plot and its chronology as desired. Some audiences might be offset by the feature's thin plot and trashy ongoings, but just realize that you're watching a Harmony Korine picture and he loves making the viewers feel un...Read the entire review

The Call (2013)

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 18:58:14 PDT

Rent It

As a huge fan of filmmaking, I have always been a full-fledged supporter of original motion pictures. In an industry filled with sequels, remakes, and prequels, it's always refreshing to see a stand-alone feature. Director Brad Anderson's The Call might have had an uninspired marketing campaign, but I was interested to see how this concept would be transferred to the big screen. We've all seen movies about police officers, but it isn't very often we get the chance to witness the situations from the perspective of the 911 operator. These people on the other end of the phone line are absolutely crucial to our society and ensuring that we get help when we need it. The job must take an incredible toll, especially after being involved in a call that ended poorly. The Call...Read the entire review

The Incredible Burt Wonderstone

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 18:58:14 PDT

Rent It

In the world of Las Vegas shows and magical illusions, Burt Wonderstone has becomes famous for performing the same exhibit day after day. The Incredible Burt Wonderstone is very similar to the man's show itself, as they're both filled to the brim with gimmicks. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, especially given the film's silly tone. Despite the fact that Steve Carell, Steve Buscemi, Olivia Wilde, and Jim Carrey will draw the viewers' attention, it doesn't mean anything if the script isn't up to par. While the initial story concept has potential, it heads down the same forgettable road that countless others have. This screenplay doesn't do nearly enough to pull itself across the finish line. While there are some laugh-out-loud moments, they are far and few apart. T...Read the entire review

My Amityville Horror

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 18:58:14 PDT

Skip It

The effects of documentaries on the moviegoing population are immense and limitless. To inform, persuade, or raise awareness are only a few of the countless goals of this form of filmmaking. As a longtime horror fan, I have always been intrigued by the paranormal reports from the Lutz family, who lived in the Amityville Horror house. This story has emerged through numerous forms of media, including multiple motion pictures. This topic became incredibly controversial, as people around the world questioned whether the Amityville house was truly haunted or if it was an ingenious hoax. Whether you believe it's fact or fiction, it remains to be an incredibly spine-tingling story that has frightened people around the globe.

For the first time in 35 years, Daniel Lutz has agre...Read the entire review

Dead Man Down

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 19:14:41 PST

Recommended

In his first American directorial debut, Niels Arden Oplev (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) and Noomi Rapace have teamed up for the first time since their Swedish hit. While the fans can rejoice about Oplev and Rapace's newest feature, the talent doesn't always translate to another country's cinema very well. Niels Arden Oplev decided upon the script for Dead Man Down, which was written by J.H. Wyman, who wrote numerous episodes of the television series Fringe. Regardless of the amount of talent involved, it doesn't necessarily mean that it's a recipe for great filmmaking. Ultimately, this crime thriller is a flawed release. It starts as a European neo-noir, but it transforms into a ridiculous action spectacle by its finale. Dead Man Down doesn't e...Read the entire review

The Girl (2013)

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 19:14:41 PST

Rent It

Writer/director David Riker isn't new to making films about the subject of immigration. While his most recent picture The Girl remains on the topic, he explores a few different trends. This feature carries strong messages about the importance of family, morality, and compassion. if you have seen a decent number of dramas in your time, then you're guaranteed to guess every step that this movie takes. Each plot point and characterization is more predictable than the last, which aids in making this unstable journey a lot less emotional than it could have been. This is one of those rare pictures that has individual elements stronger than the overall movie itself.

Ashley (Abbie Cornish) is a young Texas mother who has been struggling to keep her head above water. She...Read the entire review

Oz The Great and Powerful

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 19:14:41 PST

Rent It

Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland hit theaters in 2010, and it ultimately won the Oscars for "Best Art Direction" and "Best Costume Design." Unfortunately, the film itself turned out to be an extremely disappointing adventure into Wonderland. The source material was severely misrepresented, leaving Mia Wasikowska as one of the only worthwhile elements of the feature. Disney is bringing another classic story to the big screen by putting Sam Raimi behind the camera for Oz The Great and Powerful. By putting well-known talent in front of and behind the camera, Disney is hoping to do it right this time around. While it's a big improvement over Alice in Wonderland, I can't entirely support this fantastical adventure.

Oz (James Franco) is a small-time magic...Read the entire review

Stoker

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 17:08:21 PST

Highly Recommended

Korean director Park Chan-wook has a lot of moviegoers waiting in anticipation for his first North American film, Stoker. He left audiences in awe after the shocking, yet incredibly popular motion picture, Oldboy. This Korean director has a dark and unsettling tone, which is a consistent style that he holds through all of his pictures. There have been numerous concerns regarding Park Chan-wook's visual signature, and what will become of it as he makes his transition to American cinema for the first time. While Stoker is his tamest film, it has his fingerprints all over it. Regardless of your opinions towards the filmmaker, it all comes down to your personal opinion towards this movie's artsy representation. This isn't your typical mystery/thriller, and is ...Read the entire review

The Power of Few

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 16:37:23 PST

Skip It

When a fresh filmmaking technique is done correctly, other filmmakers will always be inspired to utilize that style. The Power of Few approaches its story-telling in a way similar to Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction, but there's a rather large gap in execution. Hollywood studios and independent entities must realize that we can't all deliver work as excellent as the top-tier directors in the business. Leone Marucci's newest flick The Power of Few made it possible for moviegoers to vote for certain aspects of the motion picture to appear in the finished product. This is one of the many reasons for this uneven movie with an ending more satisfying than anything else through the entire running time.

Over the course of twenty minutes, we follow various i...Read the entire review

Beautiful Creatures

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 17:11:12 PST

Rent It

Warner Bros. is trying to appeal to a very specific demographic with Beautiful Creatures. Writer/director Richard LaGravenese's newest motion picture targeted teenage girls when deciding to adapt the novel to the big screen. While it will inevitably be compared to The Twilight Saga for its supernatural romance, this is a very different type of movie. The love shared between the lead characters is a crucial portion of the picture, but it's also a coming-of-age film. Beautiful Creatures will surely be well-received by teenage girls, and could perhaps entertain those who are willing to have an open mind. Even though I'm not part of the picture's target audience, it kept me relatively amused.

Based on the novel by the same name, Beautiful CreaturesRead the entire review

A Good Day to Die Hard

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 17:11:12 PST

Rent It

The original Die Hard has become an action classic, and is a point of reference for many moviegoers when it comes to this genre. Unfortunately, trends in the action flick industry have dramatically changed over time. Twenty-five years after the original picture, this franchise is churning out its fifth entry. The trends followed in order to appeal to younger audiences can be seen in the movement from the trilogy to Live Free or Die Hard with its PG-13 rating. This enraged fans of the action classic, especially since the main character, John McClane, is known for his brutal violence and explicit language. With A Good Day to Die Hard receiving an R-rating, the fans have hoped for this entry to return back to its roots. Unfortunately, they won't find what the...Read the entire review

Identity Thief

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 16:57:10 PST

Recommended

There aren't very many actresses who have received an Oscar nomination for their performance in a comedy, especially within the past decade. Melissa McCarthy was an absolute riot in the hit Bridesmaids and even delivers plenty of laughs to TV audiences in Mike & Molly. Under Seth Gordon's direction, she now stars in the latest comedy called Identity Thief. There has been a massive campaign behind this picture, making McCarthy's involvement the focal point, but don't be fooled into thinking that this is the next Bridesmaids. While this comedy won't be leaving theaters rolling in laughter, it will certainly deliver some laughs and even a little bit of heart.

Mild-mannered Sandy Patterson (Jason Bateman) is a successful man with a great job ...Read the entire review

Warm Bodies

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 18:06:06 PST

Recommended

With television shows, such as AMC's The Walking Dead, and countless feature films, zombies are starting to become the "new" vampires. The Twilight Saga sparked an insane amount of interest in teenagers, and even some of their parents. Now that one popular phenomenon has ended, something must come along to take its place. This is where Summit Entertainment's Warm Bodies swoops in to spark a similar interest for zombies. Genre fans may not be happy, but this is a big step up from Stephenie Meyer's overly dramatic franchise. Audiences should just be glad that our characters don't sparkle this time around.

R (Nicholas Hoult) is a highly unusual zombie who roams the airport along with numerous other infected beings. After attacking a group of the uninfe...Read the entire review