DVD Talk: May 2014 Archives

Before you head off to the cinema this weekend, check out DVD Talk's reviews of the latest releases including: Maleficent - an intriguing film and Angelina Jolie is absolutely incredible in the title role; Night Moves - writer/director Kelly Reichardt creates skin-crawling tension with the use of her troubled characters and several minimalistic attention-grabbing sequences; and A Million Ways to Die in the West - Seth MacFarlane's latest movie occasionally hits the mark, but the majority of the jokes are misfires. Other recent films include: X-Men: Days of Future Past, Godzilla, Neighbors, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Only Lovers Left Alive, Locke, Transcendence, Blue Ruin , Draft Day, Oculus, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Noah, Nymphomaniac: Volume II, The Raid 2: Berandal, Muppets Most Wanted, Nymphomaniac: Volume I, and Bad Words. 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: True Detective - this HBO show staring Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson is one of the finest series on TV in recent history, and the Blu-ray set does the program justice; Nurse Jackie: Season 5 - a brave and intelligent series that is all the better for a solid performance given by Edie Falco... fans of the series will not want to miss this well made and interesting chapter in the complicated storyline; and Mama's Family: The Complete Third Season - it's not high art by any means, but this spin off from the Carol Burnett Show is still worth your time and more importantly, laughter. Other shows recently reviewed include: SpongeBob and Friends: Patrick SquarePants, Fairy Tail: Part 9, and Perry Mason Movie Collection, Volume 2. 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 Rodgers & Hammerstein Collection - It's the monster box of the Spring -- all 6 of Fox's Rodgers & Hammerstein special editions, in one Blu-ray collection; Johnny Come Lately - James Cagney split from Warners and made this lively star vehicle with his brother William. The star's everyman hero helps a widow keep her newspaper and fight the local corrupt politicians; and Two Rode Together - James Stewart and Richard Widmark enliven this conflicted John Ford western. A repeat of the 'stolen captives' theme from The Searchers, it takes off in a new, interestingly cynical direction. Read all this and more in this week's DVD Savant.

There are a few new releases this week that you won't want to miss. Check out these hot titles: The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou [review] - No fan of director Wes Anderson's films should be disappointed with this gorgeous high-definition Criterion release; How to Train Your Dragon [review] - a thrilling adventure that soars above many contemporary animated features, including some of Pixar's more recent efforts; and Dan Curtis' Dracula [review] - a really underrated take on Stoker's novel that features enough style to ensure that the visuals are up to par as well as some decent character development. Other reviews of note include Red River [review], Sleepaway Camp [review], and Endless Love (2014) [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: Gamera: Ultimate Collection, Volume 1 - extremely fun movies for all ages with excellent video transfers, all at a price that is too good to pass up; Rollerball (1975) - Twilight Time's Blu-ray package outpaces the 2002 Region 1 DVD in every department, serving up a rock-solid A/V presentation and even a handful of "new" bonus features; and Countess Dracula - given its artful craftsmanship, strong performances, and the devastating tragedies at its core, this is a film that's very much worth rediscovering and re-evaluating. Other recent reviews include: Overlord: Criterion Collection, Hellboy 20th Anniversary, and Resolution. Visit the DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

It'd be a good weekend to go to the movies. Here are DVDTalk's recent theatrical reviews: X-Men: Days of Future Past [a second review] - Both writers really liked this flick and are really glad that Bryan Singer has returned to the franchise. The action is intense and highly enjoyable, while the humor is well-placed and fans looking for lots of cameos from other characters from the comics will have plenty to cheer about. Other recent films include: Godzilla, Neighbors, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Only Lovers Left Alive, Locke, Transcendence, Blue Ruin , Draft Day, Oculus, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Noah, Nymphomaniac: Volume II, The Raid 2: Berandal, Muppets Most Wanted, Nymphomaniac: Volume I, and Bad Words. Check out these, and more, in DVDTalk's Theatrical Review section.

More TV shows have made their way on to DVD and Blu-ray, and DVD Talk has got them covered. Check out our reviews of the newest TV releases including: The Andy Griffith Show: Season 1 - a charming, funny series presented to perfection with fine extra features; Doctor Who: The Enemy of the World - this recently discovered classic Doctor Who serial has a great story that showcases Patrick Troughton as an actor, as well as telling an intricate and engaging adventure; and Little House on the Prairie: Season 2 - the set restores the 1975-76 season to its original broadcast length (and without the ruinous time-compression of earlier home video releases) and with a vastly improved high-def picture. Other shows recently reviewed include: Psych: Season 8, The FBI: The Complete Seventh Season, and Eureka Seven: Part One. 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: Thunderbirds are GO! & Thunderbird 6 - entertainingly lunatic kiddie shows packed with impressive miniature effects, explosions and some of the weirdest, most nightmare-inducing puppet creations ever concocted as children's fare; The Flying Dutchman -This East German production presents the Richard Wagner Opera uncut, or so they claim; and Flying Tigers - In his first combat role of the war, John Wayne sweeps the skies of enemy aircraft, but still has time to woo Anna Lee and sort out squabbles with the volunteer fighter pilots under his command. Read all this and more in this week's DVD Savant.

It's a bit of a slow week for new home video releases, but there are still some discs you might want to take note of including: The Monuments Men [review] - Director George Clooney crafts this film with the best of intentions, but he transforms a captivating story into an blandly-structured and awkwardly-toned war film; Pompeii [review] - Paul W.S. Anderson insists on boring the audience with a Gladiator-knockoff story and dull melodrama before finally letting his angry volcano loose; and Nosferatu The Vampyre [review] - Werner Herzog's movie remains one of the most interesting, beautiful and haunting vampire films ever made and it succeeds not only as a horror film but as a testament to the abilities of both Herzog and Kinski to create wholly original works of cinematic art . Other reviews of note include Grand Piano [review] and v [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.

Mr. Magoo: The Theatrical Collection 1949-1959

Our reviewers have been busy this week, filling the DVD Talk Review Database more great entries. Some new reviews of note include:Mr. Magoo: The Theatrical Collection 1949-1959 - every one-reel theatrical cartoon featuring Mr. Magoo in chronological order with the correct aspect ratios... a wonderful, must-have set; The Wind And The Lion - with plenty of talent behind (and in front of) the camera, an ambitious scope, and an engaging story this Blu-ray is worth picking up as a blind buy or upgrade; and Sleepaway Camp - this movie gets a pretty solid special edition from Shout! Factory, offering up the uncut film in solid HD quality and with a lot of supplements to accompany it. Other recent reviews include: Generation War, The Iran Job, and Torque. Visit the DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

Planning a trip to the local multiplex this weekend? Here are DVD Talk's reviews of the latest theatrical releases: Godzilla [a second review] - The new Godzilla design is awesome, and so is the animation that brings him to life; and God's Pocket Actor John Slattery steps behind the camera for his first feature film and assembles an incredible cast of veteran character actors, led by John Turturro, Richard Jenkins, and the late Philip Seymour Hoffman. Other recent films include: Neighbors, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Only Lovers Left Alive, Locke, Transcendence, Blue Ruin , Draft Day, Oculus, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Noah, Nymphomaniac: Volume II, The Raid 2: Berandal, Muppets Most Wanted, Nymphomaniac: Volume I, and Bad Words. Check out these, and more, in DVDTalk's Theatrical Review section.

TV on DVD remains very popular with more and more favorites being released. New TV reviews include: Eastbound & Down: Season 4 -The final season wrapped a bow on what was a laugh-filled show that may have exhibited a brief moment of weariness yet managed to reach its goal of seeing its character through; Highway Patrol: Complete Season 2 - while not nearly as good as the original Dragnet, this 50's cop show is still quite entertaining, partly because of star Broderick Crawford's amusing performance as HP Chief Dan Matthews; and Jim Gaffigan: Obsessed - Often drawing on material from his best-selling book, this stand-up comedy special is always humorous and often hilarious. Other shows recently reviewed include: Bat Masterson: The Series, Separate But Equal, and Theatreland. 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: White Zombie - Sourced from Cary Roan's original film materials, this encoding of the Bela Lugosi horror classic is the very best so far; A Brief History of Time - Errol Morris' spacey documentary about the genius theoretician Stephen Hawking uses interviews to tell his life story, while Hawking's own electronically generated voice narrates an overview of his groundbreaking insights into space-time theory, black holes, and the like; and Nosferatu the Vampyre - Werner Herzog remakes the Murnau horror classic but retains the creepy stillness and repressed emotions of the original. 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: Orange Is the New Black: Season 1 [review] - a show that offers something that's dramatic, yet expertly weaves a lighter tone to keep the subject matter from being too heavy to digest... this one's worth a blind buy; After Tiller [review, a second review] - a greatly moving documentary that will affect both sides of the abortion debate; and Evilspeak [review] - this movie looks better than it ever has on home video and the additional extras included on this disc really do a fine job of documenting the history of the picture in an interesting way. Other reviews of note include Her [review] , Final Exam [review], and Godfather Part III [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.

This week the DVD Talk Review Database has some great new entries, including a few discs you may have overlooked. Recent DVD reviews include: Revenge of the Nerds - Now available on Blu-ray, this underrated 80's comedy receives a decent presentation and some very enjoyable extras; Blazing Saddles - one of the funniest films ever made, the movie is brilliant in its parodies; and Grand Piano - A beautifully crafted, compact little thriller that boasts some solid performances. Other recent reviews include: Get Carter (1971) , Memphis Belle, and Used Cars. Visit the DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

The big release this week is the Seth Rogen/Rose Byrne/Zac Efron comedy Neighbors, and we have three reviews of the film. Jeff Nelson loved it and said the film brings heavy laughs, Jamie S. Rich really liked it saying that it hits the funny bone more than it misses, while Tyler Foster wasn't as enamored and described the film as good looking, good-humored, but kind of empty. Other recent films include: The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Only Lovers Left Alive, Locke, Transcendence, Blue Ruin , Draft Day, Oculus, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Noah, Nymphomaniac: Volume II, The Raid 2: Berandal, Muppets Most Wanted, Nymphomaniac: Volume I, and Bad Words. Check out these, and more, in DVDTalk's Theatrical Review section.

Some great TV shows have made their way onto DVD this week including: Broadchurch: Season 1 -A gripping crime drama that's addictive... one of the best of its kind to come along in years; Father Brown: The Complete Collection - a good series made memorable by star Kenneth More's captivating title-role performance... watch it for him, definitely; and Dragon Ball Z: Season 3 - one of the best anime series of all time - in this season, Frieza puts a hurt on people unlike anything we've ever seen, until Goky arrives on the scene. Other shows recently reviewed include: Mayberry R.F.D.: The Complete First Season, The Science of Measurement, and Rawhide: The Seventh Season, Volume 2. 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: Show Boat - One of the best musicals ever, with emotionally powerful songs and stage-originated performances from Irene Dunne, Paul Robeson, Helen Morgan, Charles Winninger and Alan Jones; Dante's Inferno - This bizarre, wildly expensive 1935 morality play sees an unscrupulous promoter wreaking ethical havoc around a fairground attraction illustrating Dante's nine circles of Hell; and All the King's Men - Robert Rossen flexes his subversive instincts on an easy target: fiery populist politics as excoriated by Pulitzer Prizewinning author Robert Penn Warren. Read all this and more in this week's DVD Savant.

There are a few new releases this week that you won't want to miss. Check out these hot titles: Honeymooners: Classic 39 Episodes [review] - this show is pure comedic bliss and the technical presentation on this release is precisely what the show deserves - pristine video and clean audio; The Terminal [review] - one of the most charming and delightful movies from the 2000's and a seriously underrated gem from Steven Spielberg; and Veronica Mars [review] - fans of the series are sure to be more shocked by the turns of the plot, but should still have a good time with this cleverly scripted, enthusiastically performed whodunnit. Other reviews of note include Son of Batman [review] , Godzilla Vs. Hedorah [review], and Amistad [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 great DVD and Blu-ray reviews have been added to the the DVD Talk Review Database recently including: Sophie's Choice - This is certainly not light viewing, but it is an affecting, sprawling drama that features superb work from Meryl Streep, Kevin Kline and Peter MacNicol; Broadway Danny Rose - the Blu-ray PQ is stunning on this movie... one of Allen's great accomplishments as well as one of the best film's of the 80's; and Once - one of the most moving and heartfelt films ever made about music and love. Other recent reviews include: Big Bad Wolves, Gamera: Ultimate Collection, Volume 2, and Strait-Jacket. 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 Amazing Spider-Man 2 [second review]- The action is bigger and the violence more destructive but this sequel has too much of everything except internal logic; and Only Lovers Left Alive - director Jim Jarmusch has made a vampire movie and it has the spirit of old rock 'n' roll mixed with romantic poetry and gothic gloom, powered by Einstein's theory of spooky action... it is pretty pretty wondrous to behold. Other recent films include: Locke, Transcendence, Blue Ruin , Draft Day, Oculus, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Noah, Nymphomaniac: Volume II, The Raid 2: Berandal, Muppets Most Wanted, Nymphomaniac: Volume I, and Bad Words. 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: Continuum: Season Two - a surprisingly great series that's been just shy of excellence for two seasons now, blending case-by-case procedure with capable serial drama and moral ambiguity in its sci-fi-laced setting; Here's Lucy: The Complete Series - an amusing show based on Lucille Ball's and Gale Gordon's strengths alone, while the parade of guest stars adds to the fun; and Green Lantern: The Animated Series - a fantastic show with beautiful animation, great action sequences, character development and nice doses of humor. Other shows recently reviewed include: Doctor Who: The Web of Fear, Newhart: The Complete Third Season, and My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic: A Dash Of Awesome. Want more? Check out all of the TV on DVD reviews in the DVD Talk database.