Inside the Bucket

@FunkoDCLegion Review: July 2017

2017-07-10T20:12:00.001-07:00

Legion returns to greatness with the impressive BATMAN .

Review by Matt Cummings

As we enter the half-way point for Year 2 of the DC Legion of Collectors subscription box, it's certain been a mixture of highs (SUPERMAN) and lows (WONDER WOMAN). However, we have yet to see a truly disappointing box from them, something we saw quite regularly with Loot Crate and eventually GEEK FUEL. In reality, Legion has only had a couple of misses, which is understandable and even forgivable, considering what we got this month. BATMAN ANIMATED SERIES is one of the best Legion boxes ever, with a great shirt, an awesome Pop!, and a vehicle...yes, a vehicle from a line you wouldn't assume would be in that business.

The Promise

Before we begin, let's look at the deal again: promising a value of $50, the sub continues the tradition of Funko partnering each time to deliver an exclusive figure and t-shirt without the fluff or filter (their words). Joining at the VIGILANTE MEMBERSHIP, members receive 6 boxes every year, with the promise of an exclusive themed collectible gift on the one-year anniversary of your annual membership pf $150 p sh/h. You can also subscribe at the SIDEKICK LEVEL at $25 with $6.95 shipping. That's literally the same deal as Marvel Collector Corps.

The Delivery
We use QUALITY and TIMING to base our reviews, so let's see how this box stands up. As always, we'll end our review with some additional thoughts after the unboxing:

The Guts
This is perhaps the biggest box we've received from Legion, and it was well worth trying to get all it under camera as cut open the tape reveal its awesomeness. Upon opening the box, we are treated to a very nice first layer, complete with the tyically great Pin/Patch set. This time, it's none other than the Animated version of The Joker and Catwoman. Both fare very well here, but I have to give credit to the incredible likeness of The Clown Prince of Crime. This is another excellent likeness, with the stitching showing off wonderful detail. The Catwoman pin is also very well done, with Selena Kyle's suit looking color-perfect from the series. As I've said, the P/P sets have become a mainstay in Funko's boxes; each of them look great, and this set is no exception. From these images I think you'd agree that this is a WIN and WIN.

The Comic
Perhaps the best comic cover we've gotten this year comes from the now classic opening to the animated series, with Batman standing atop a building, just after capturing the bad guys. According to information included in the box, this has been attached to Batman: The Animated Series comic book, which was originally produced in 1992. I'm not sure if this is taken from that run or a more recent one, but the iconic image is a keeper for sure. Count this is a serious WIN.

A Surprising But Awesome Pop!
It goes without saying that we love Funko's sculpts. They really capture the essence of the character but do so with the usual Funko traits. This month's box features an interesting selection: Dr. Freeze. Now, I'm not using "interesting" to mean, "Oh, that's terrible!" as this sculpt is impressive. The colors are accurate to the show, and his features (including the gun and back tank) are to scale. My only concern - the choice of Dr. Freeze himself - is explained in the box information: Freeze was a fan selection, which does show that Legion is listening to its fans. This isn't as good as the Diana we received in May, but we have to remember that the cartoon did not feature a lot of detail in those characters to begin with. Therefore, I'd count this as a WIN.

Batman Comes to Town
The inclusion of a wearable - and some pretty damn good ones over the year - has become another hallmark of the box. This time, it's Bats himself who's featured, but it's not an ordinary scene. Here, we get the classic 'poster-style' image taken from the show's credits. Someone at Legion is obviously a Batman: TAS fan, as we've gotten the two iconic images from that series in this box. Still, I might sell this shirt, not because it's of poor quality, but because I have so many of these Funko shirts. For someone with a smaller inventory, this is an automatic keeper. WIN.

The Most Impressive Dorbz Ever?
Wow is all I can say. After a run of disappointing Dorbz that stretches back to the opening box, the company might have found their jam. Just like a recent GUADIANS OF THE GALAXY box that featured a ship, Legion also arrives with the amazing Batmobile from their RIDEZ series. Just looking at the rear image on the box shows you how amazing this little baby is: they get the scale of the ride perfectly, with the large grill and flare-out fenders. These are not meant to actually house a character in scale, but you can replace this Batman with another Dorbz. Colors are also excellent - they get that cartoon gray so damn well! I have to imagine that the price tag on the secondary market will be fairly high, perhaps even matching the cost of the box itself. It's not often that I open things, but I am seriously tempted to do so here, as everything about this screams quality. WIN.

The Bottom Line

DC's Legion of Collectors BATMAN ANIMATED SERIES box is one of the best of the year from the Legion line, and certainly one of the best from Funko's 2017 line (including MCC and Smuggler's Bounty). Everything here screams quality, from the awesome Batmobile, A a well0-made Pop! Dr. Freeze, and an incredible comic.

I've written for awhile about whether these boxes can survive long-term, and it all goes back to quality. Should Funko continue to deliver boxes with incredible offerings like this (and keep the inconsistent releases to a minimum), there's no reason why Funko can't produce these boxes for a quite awhile. Unlike WONDER WOMAN, this box gets the cross-marketing that super-charges fan interest: wear the shirt, read the comic, watch the show. Timing and Quality here are top notch, so I'm happy to grant this box such high marks. Now, it's on to September's DC's MOST WANTED, and I'm looking for big things and another winner. For now, it's time to wear my shirt, read my comic, and play with my Batmobile. YAY!!

Want to read our other sub box reviews? We've got them all listed below:
MARVEL COLLECTOR CORPS
May
June
August
October
December
February
April
June
August
October
December
February
April
June

DC LEGION REVIEWS
May
July
September
November
January
March
May

SMUGGLER'S BOUNTY
January
March
May
July
September
November
February
April

Discuss this review with author Matt Cummings at @mfc90125.

@FunkoDCLegion Review: May 2017

2017-07-04T14:50:00.001-07:00

Legion's WONDER WOMAN is a frustrating box of Funko super cool and super lame.

Review by Matt Cummings

2017 has been a very good year for DC Legion's sub box, gifting us with the impressive LEGACY and SUPERMAN and sending us a very nice one-year anniversary golden Batman statue. Having learned from the mistakes of lesser boxes (Loot Crate and Geek Fuel, are you listening??), Legion - along with Funko's other lines - has established such a high bar that sometimes we get disappointed when they fail to maintain their own standards. Such is the case with May's WONDER WOMAN box, a frustrating mix of super cool and super lame.

The Promise

The Guts
The box itself is a fairly small-looking one, so we were a tad concerned as to what might lay inside. With our last box LEGACY arriving crushed, we were happy to see the same couldn't be said for WONDER WOMAN. Upon opening the box, we are treated to a very nice first layer, complete with the great penciling of Diana in various poses, and the inclusion of the now-standard (READ: awesome!) pin/patch set. It's a critical opening swing each time a box arrives, but not always indicative of successes under the cardboard covering. But for now, let's revel in a very nice set which combines color, sharp detail, and a truly kick-ass logo. We seriously love the WW lettering on the pin, but let's not ignore the great stitching and composition of the patch. Frankly, it's one of the best sets we've ever seen. The stitching on the patch is good, while Diana's eyes focus your attention right away. Unbelievable would be a word I'd use here, and from these images I think you'd agree. WIN and WIN.

The Comic
No comic was featured in this set, a bad decision that I hope Funko now realizes. Funko sets usually include one, which gives the recipient some place to begin reading the comics. It's a nice way to balance the box, because it allows the company a moment to highlight their interests in other formats of media: put on the wearables, play with the toys, read the comics, stitch the patch onto your backpack, and you're in. The lack of a comic here - with the infographic for the upcoming BATMAN box instead - is not enough, and it's a huge head-scratcher.

Are Two Pops! Better Than One?
Once again, Funko's sculpts are impressive, and this time we get a pair of great figures. Of course, no WW box would be complete without a figure of Diana, and Funko certainly doesn't disappoint. The sculpt is impressive (I love the Lasso of Truth!), with Diana's armor finely detailed and even showing wear. Her headpiece is also impressive, sparkling right when you remove it from the box. Her boots also look good. With the movie arriving soon, we'll have plenty of versions of Diana to collect - just look at the back of the box for how many - but this to me is the only one to collect, not because the others are lame but because this one is good damn good. Dr. Maru is also very interesting, although I would have appreciated the Steve Trevor figure. Still, this one is a winner as well with 360-degree sculpting and great detail in her clothes and facial applications. Count each as WIN and WIN.

And Here's Where Things Go South...
The inclusion of a wearable - and some pretty damn good ones over the year - has become a hallmark of the box. So when one isn't included - as was this month's - fans are sure to take notice. The replacement - a pair of WW socks - are fine, but are in no way equal to the shirt we usually get. The socks aren't soft either, so I doubt I will be keeping them. In addition, this is another lost opportunity for DC to get its female characters out there; imagine a collage of Themysciran Amazons on a shirt. I'll just let that one work its way into your mind...ok, now that you have, we can call this category a FAIL.

And The Hits Keep on Coming
Ah, Pint Sized Heroes, we've missed you...not. Their inclusion in Marvel's box are purely throwaways, and here we don't like the connotation that they even deserve space next to other more desirable lines. The figure itself is pretty nice, but again I have no interest in collecting yet another line. I understand that Funko needs to expand their brand, but had this set included a shirt, I might have supported the PSH as a cute toss-in. But, we'll have to call this one a FAIL as well.

The Bottom Line

DC's Legion of Collectors WONDER WOMAN box is a frustrating collection of great items, mixed with clear misses, with the pin/patch on one end of the spectrum (the best P/P set from them ever?) and the scratchy socks/Pint-Sized Heroes on the other (super lame).

I've written for awhile about whether these boxes can survive long-term, and it all goes back to quality. Should Funko continue to deliver boxes with throwaways like PSH and socks, we're concerned for their future. Just like Warner Brothers, Funko really missed out on the potential for cross-marketing Wonder Woman with their other brands. Just like the studio, Funko is now paying for their mistakes. Not every box needs to be the best ever, but at least include the things that have made your boxes work so well in the past. Timing and Quality have been our pillars from the start of this, so it's with a heavy heart that I weigh my scores so low. Considering that it's been a pretty damn good year already for Legion, I can look past this bump in the road, so long as the next box - DC's MOST WANTED - returns to a winning formula.

Want to read our other sub box reviews? We've got them all listed below:
MARVEL COLLECTOR CORPS
May
June
August
October
December
February
April
June
August
October
December February
April
June

DC LEGION REVIEWS
May
July
September November
January March
May

SMUGGLER'S BOUNTY
January
March
May
July
September
November February
April

Discuss this review with author Matt Cummings at @mfc90125.

@FunkoDCLegion Review: Founders Gift Statue Review

2017-03-16T17:36:00.001-07:00

Was Funko's Founders Gift Statue worth the wait? Read on to find out!

Review by Matt Cummings

When Funko entered the DC space to deliver subscribers an every-other-month box, subscribers who paid for the year in advance (whom they called Founders) would be rewarded with a gift. Well, one year later and Funko has delivered on its promise, and the results are pretty spectacular, even though it doesn't look a thing like a Funko.

The Promise

Before we begin, let's look at the deal again: promising a value of $50, the sub continues the tradition of Funko partnering each time to deliver an exclusive figure and t-shirt without the fluff or filter (their words). Joining at the VIGILANTE MEMBERSHIP, members receive 6 boxes every year, with the promise of an exclusive themed collectible gift on the one-year anniversary of your annual membership pf $150 p sh/h. You can also subscribe at the SIDEKICK LEVEL at $25 with $6.95 shipping. That's literally the same deal as Marvel Collector Corps. And just like Marvel, DC/Funko promised a similar one-year anniversary item with a VIGILANTE theme.

The Delivery
Once we knew that Funko would be shipping a golden statue similar to MCC's Captain America, it was clear who Legion would choose as their first: Batman. But did they get this sculpt right? As always, we use QUALITY and TIMING to base our reviews, so let's see how this anniversary statue stacks up.

Quality

It's clear that any issues I might have had with the golden Cap statue (and I did) are not repeated here. The statue is heavy, with a nice base and a plate that reads LEGION OF COLLECTORS. The sculpt is very static, reflecting the shape of an Oscar, but everything looks proportional. This is Batman in his most pristine state: no ripped cape, no damaged suit. The utility belt is highly designed, and those abs which are such a hilarious part of THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE stand out ready to defend crime all on their own. Even the box - with its DC logo on top - oozes quality. Count this section as a WIN.

Timing

My only real issue with MCC's Captain America was the sculpt itself. The sculpt was just missing something that to this day I can't quite figure out. Perhaps it was the over-sized head and classic sculpt. But it appears DC learned from that lesson with Batman. So the only question here is timing: why did they produce a classic Batman when the series centers around a Funko theme? Personally, I think the question is moot (and always has been): if Marvel wanted to ship me a Legends figure in its set, count me in. If DC wanted to hook me up with any of its new incredible lines, please do so. Therefore, I don't have a problem at all with Bats looking non-Funko. To be honest, a golden statue of a big-headed toy wouldn't look right, which is probably something Funko realized when they began their designs of these statues. For both DC and Marvel, I think their next figures (which have to be Iron Man and Superman respectively) are going to kill it. They're just better figures to produce that will look amazing in gold. For now, count the timing to be a solid WIN, even though it's not Funko themed.

The Bottom Line

DC's Legion of Collectors BATMAN Statue is an impressive and beautiful gift for Founders fans. For something I paid zero dollars to secure, it's extremely nice. The gold chrome is high-quality, the statue itself has a lot of weight to it, and even the packaging is spectacular. I have no problem with it not being a Funko toy, and have every intention of showing this one off in my case. I can totally understand why some are not happy about another golden statue, but I think it's far better than that disastrous Hikari Cap we got with MCC's Year One box. If this is a taste of the lines we'll be receiving from our Founders membership, I can't wait to see what the next rounds look like. This item comes HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Want to read our other sub box reviews? We've got them all listed below:
MARVEL COLLECTOR CORPS
May
June
August
October
December
February
April
June
August
October
December

DC LEGION REVIEWS
May
July
September
November
January

SMUGGLER'S BOUNTY
January
March
May
July
September
November

Discuss this review with author Matt Cummings at @mfc90125.

@FunkoDCLegion Review: March 2017

2017-03-15T20:26:00.002-07:00

Legion's DC LEGACY box pushes the boundaries of Funko cool.

Review by Matt Cummings

We were mightily impressed with January's DC LEGACY, a sub box that pushed the boundaries and shook off some dust that had accumulated on Funko's business plan. And even though our box arrived damaged, March 2017's arrival takes a slight step sideways with SUPERMAN, celebrating the classic character with a collection of great products that once again stretch the genre into exciting new territory. The Promise

Before we begin, let's look at the deal again: promising a value of $50, the sub continues the tradition of Funko partnering each time to deliver an exclusive figure and t-shirt without the fluff or filter (their words). Joining at the VIGILANTE MEMBERSHIP, members receive 6 boxes every year, with the promise of an exclusive themed collectible gift on the one-year anniversary of your annual membership pf $150 p sh/h. You can also subscribe at the SIDEKICK LEVEL at $25 with $6.95 shipping. That's literally the same deal as Marvel Collector Corps. DC/Funko promises a similar one-year anniversary item with VIGILANTE, but with the spectacular failure behind Marvel Collector Corps' Golden Cap figure, I'm not hopeful for a cool reveal. The Delivery
We use QUALITY and TIMING to base our reviews, so let's see how this box stands up. As always, we'll end our review with some additional thoughts after the unboxing:

The Guts
We were not happy at all to see that our box arrived crushed in several key spots, and worried that the damaged had seeped into the contents. Sadly as you can see, the Funko box arrived pretty torched. In our three-plus years of writing, this is the first box to arrive in such condition, so we'll write it off to our postal system testing whether Superman can really fly. The size of the box is fairly standard, but reveals one interesting level after another, starting with a pin/patch set. It's a critical opening swing each time a box arrives, but not always indicative of successes under the cardboard covering. But for now, let's revel in a very nice set of classic-looking Supes. The stitching on the patch is good, while the light-blue suit on the pin is great. I know last time I mentioned that a standard box like this one can have its issues, but as you see from my pictures, things remain high quality and retro cool. WIN and WIN.

The Comic
The Superman Funko comic is as an awesome as they get, showing off The Last Son of Krypton as we remember him growing up. DC's #1 never looked so good, and the colors once again pop with an almost 3D feel. Yes! You can't have a DC box without highlighting one of your #1 heroes, and the comic does him more than justice. A solid WIN.

Another Fantastic Pop!
There is so to like about this Classic Superman that it's hard to contain my enthusiasm over it. Let's start with the sculpt, which features a killer set of ab muscles and that lock of black hair. So Supes. The coloring of his uniform is also fabulous, with it leaning a tad darker than I would have expected. But at least we're not talking baby blue! I'm really impressed with Funko's command of its sculpts; granted, you don't have to do much to make Superman a winner (as he has no utility belt or overly detailed suit). But there's something cool when you see them get the spirit of a hero so completely, and I find myself loving this as much as I loved their first Armor Bats that appeared when the box first began. WIN.

Funko's First Superman Action Figure
So, here's the deal Funko: 3/4-scale figures are just fine. We got a decent Diana from you a few months back (and that jet!), but 3/4" is for children, and I don't think that's who collecting these boxes. As a loving Marvel Legends 6" collector, please consider offering a bigger (and therefore better) figure than one that's poseable in so few places. Granted, we love the once-used symbol - and the card is super cool - but he looks a tad...well... Bizarro. And that's OK, considering this is taken from a 1938 version of Superman, but perhaps Funko will surprise us one day with a gorgeous Funko 6". Wouldn't that be great? For now, consider this a WIN so long as you know what you're getting.

Love. This. Shirt. Sort Of.
When we pulled this one from its plastic prison, the softness of the material really caught us. This one is wearable right now, even though I know some of you love to wear a shirt right from the rack, complete with all of those chemical all over it. But there's more going on here with this one, including the awesome backdrop of The Daily Planet and logo that takes me back to Super Friends. But there's an issue: the size. While all Funko shirts do fit a tad differently, this XL looks more like a XXL. Either that, or it's what my Nordstrom shirts sometime refer to as "generously cut." I have another SF shirt that suffers from the same problem, and it's frankly a problem to wear. I love so much about this shirt that I hope a couple of washings relieve my concern, so for now count this one as a WIN.

A "Nice" Keychain
It's never a good thing when you think that these boxes are throwing in something lame just to fill the empty spaces. At least Funko's keychain of a flying Superman is nicely made and certainly worthy of protecting your keys from local thieves. It's beautifully colored and not too big for your pocket. I just wonder how long the gorgeous paint will keep before we see nicks and other marks seep in. Say what you want about the company's choices and whether a keychain and action figure are excellent ways for Funko to extend their brand, but when they're well made and aren't a hat or cup I can't drink from, count this as a WIN.

The Bottom Line

DC's Legion of Collectors SUPERMAN box is a great celebration of this iconic character. Sporting a great shirt, an excellent figure, and several other nice ancillary toys, it reminds us why he's the Sentient Power (thanks so much Smallville's Dr. Fate for that gem).

I've written for awhile about whether these boxes can survive long-term, and it all goes back to quality. Should Funko continue to deliver boxes like these and January's LEGACY, we won't have a problem supporting them. I wrote last time what this box had a lot to prove because LEGACY was so inventive. Not every box needs to be so, and my concern has always been about quality and timing. Attaching SUPERMAN to those standards results in a box that's just as good as LEGACY because it hits all the marks. And with our next box featuring WONDER WOMAN (as we get ready for the November movie), I will be looking for it to soar to similar heights. This box comes HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Want to read our other sub box reviews? We've got them all listed below:
MARVEL COLLECTOR CORPS
May
June
August
October
December
February
April
June
August
October December

DC LEGION REVIEWS
May
July
September November
January

SMUGGLER'S BOUNTY
January
March
May
July
September
November

Discuss this review with author Matt Cummings at @mfc90125.

3 Days to Kill Review

2014-02-23T20:11:00.000-08:00

Inside the Bucket! presented by SandwichJohnFilms.com is online!

Listen to our podcast to see how much we hated Kevin Costner's 3 Days to Kill. For the full review, visit SandwichJohnFilms.com.

Robocop Review

2014-02-14T10:13:00.000-08:00

Inside the Bucket! presented by SandwichJohnFilms.com is online!

Listen to our podcast to see if we liked the Jose Padilha's Robocop. For the full review, visit SandwichJohnFilms.com.

January Box Office Numbers

2014-02-09T11:25:00.000-08:00

Inside the Bucket! presented by SandwichJohnFilms.com is online!

Listen to our podcast on January's box office numbers - yes, we know it sucks but we're trying.

Look at Your Favorite Movies in a Whole Different Way

2013-06-30T21:46:00.001-07:00

Stuck every evening with a thousand movies and nothing to watch? Daisy-Chain them! Thanks to my friends at OPC for the banner.

As a film and Blu-ray reviewer for SandwichJohnFilms.com, I get to impart my thoughts to the public on at least 100 mainstream releases each year. But once in awhile, I like to delve into my own collection, revisiting and reminiscing about which films have stuck with me over the years. But, with a collection of well over 1000, it can be tough to decide which to watch, until I came up with an idea. I would daisy-chain my films by actor or director, uncovering the connections behind my collection in an inventive way. I have no idea if anyone has come up with a similar system, and am only going a few films ahead to keep it fun.

Hopefully, I'll inspire you to dig deeper into your collection, or perhaps investigate your ill-used On Demand portal.

Today's Selections: Body of Lies (2008) and Sherlock Holmes (2009)

Connection: Films Starring Mark Strong

Body of Lies is a complicated political thriller starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe, and the aforementioned Strong. While not one of Director Ridley Scott's best or most well-known works, Lies is an entertaining and emphatic commentary about America's foreign policy post-9/11. This isn't anything so brilliant as 2012's Zero Dark Thirty, but DiCaprio, Crowe, and Strong all turn in electrifying performances. Speaking of Zero Dark Thirty - which Strong also appears - he is amazing as the Jordanian Intelligence director Hami, transforming from his British roots into a cold-blooded killer. The home release features near reference-quality video and audio transfers, along with several good supplements.

Continuing our Strong Super Set, Sherlock Holmes is a rip-roaring reboot of the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle series starring Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law. Say what you want about the movie's faithfulness to the original stories, but it's a more rugged affair, one that our troupe exceeds at bringing Holmes into the 21st Century. Holmes is the classic intellectual action hero, always thinking 5 steps ahead of everyone else, while Watson is smarter and better-looking than Doyle's frankly boorish version. Downey and Law engage in comedic hari-kari and well-choreographed fist fights, as their breezy and instantly classic chemistry makes Director Guy Ritche's stylish and nightmarish cutaways even more effective. Strong is deliciously devilish as the criminal Lord Blackwood, along with the underrated Rachel McAdams as Holmes' love interest. The home release features excellent video and superior audio, which booms across the soundfield, although some of the muttered British accents don't come across as clear as I would have liked. Warner Bros. busts out the Maximum Movie Mode, with Ritche delivering one of the best commentaries around. If you haven't seen MMM, the purchase of this disc is absolutely required just for that.

Next time, we'll find a connection from Sherlock Holmes to launch into our next two films. Can you guess which one I'll choose WITHOUT looking at my posts? Got a list you want to share based on your own collection?

What Roger Ebert Taught Us

2013-04-07T08:11:00.000-07:00

Film critic Roger Ebert's passing this week left us with an amazing body of work. And some big shoes to fill.

The news this week of the passing of film critic Roger Ebert surprised a lot of people. I mean, the guy survived two cancers which left him speechless, yet he continued to write upwards of 200 reviews per year. Frankly, many of us thought he would survive into his 80's, filling the pages of the Chicago Sun Times with reviews to last us nearly a lifetime.

As I think back on an amazing career, it's clear that Ebert was one of the first to make a transition few people have: from print journalism, to television, and then to the Internet, becoming more popular with each move. But, that's not all he taught us. Here now are the things I've learned from Roger Ebert:

The greatest marketing tool is your thumb: Granted, Ebert didn't look like a rock star, nor did "At the Movies" co-host and Tribune critic Gene Siskel for whom Ebert became forever associated. But those thumbs sure did become iconic. In one of the greatest marketing tools ever conceived, the idea of a simple thumbs up/down grade for your movie probably affected theater traffic 20% while providing audiences with a simple way to know if a movie was worth their time. Sure, Ebert and Siskel's bantering was also good TV fodder, but it was done with collegiality, resulting in a mutual friendship that lasted until Siskel's death in 1999. If the two demonstrated anything, it's that short pudgy guys and balding men CAN be successful on television.
One part criticism, two parts education: My earliest memories of Ebert date back to 1979, when "At the Movies" aired on PBS. There, I learned about the essence of film on a weekly basis with he and Siskel providing the instruction. In a day when three stations ruled the airwaves and the Internet was merely in Al Gore's dreams, "At the Movies" was the only show of its kind. But Ebert did more than simply judge: his weekly opinions and critical banter taught me the essence of reviewing, demonstrating that two people could look at the same movie but somehow have wildly different opinions on it. I guess this is where my love for film criticism has it genesis - simply put, it's the reason why I do it today. Ebert taught me to look at movies beyond their mere eye candy, to judge whether scenes were effectively structured, edited, and matched with appropriate music. Ebert stripped down the glitz of movies like no one else, demonstrating how they mirror our own lives without straying too far into the critical weeds to provide his final judgement. That kind of sharp intellect created an impression on me that endures to today.

Ebert's passing leaves a huge hole in the profession. Will Leonard Maltin pick up the torch? Or Roger Roeper? Unlikely. Sure, we have sites like Metacritic to collect reviewers from all over the Internet, but none of them could ever match the laser-like effectiveness or the deep respect for film that Ebert brought.

In a time when everyone writes about everything on their minds, few spoke with such clarity, precision, or commanded a 50-year body of knowledge like Roger Ebert. And while I never met him, I felt I knew the guy because his morals and values were impressed upon each review. I've borrowed that and a ton of other lessons, which I hope will make me a better critic. We could all use a little Roger Ebert in our lives, and I thank you sir for showing me how it's done.

You will be missed.

Big Movie Questions for 2013

2013-03-31T00:14:00.000-07:00

Some of you have asked me to repost this, so I've chosen my own site to do so.

With the 2013 movie season already in full swing, we've been thinking about some early answers to several burning questions:

Will audiences stand in line to see Arnold and Stallone? It appears that the answer is NO. Neither the awful The Last Stand nor the decent Bullet to the Head reached audiences, pulling in less money combined than the Estrogen Fest Safe Haven. That's a bad sign for the duo, who separately used to command the box office. If their fall pair-up The Tomb also fails to attract success, it could be the last hurrah for these aging heroes who might not know when to hang it up.
Will Winter 2013 produce the same limited amount of quality films, just as it has since....forever? Luckily, YES. The season has already given us more high-quality efforts than in the last three Winters COMBINED. Gangster Squad and Snitch are top shelf, Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters and Beautiful Creatures were wickedly fun, and Warm Bodies brought in audiences out of the cold for a bit of zombie humor.
Will 2012's feeble box office continue into 2013? Again, the answer is affirmative. While it's way too early to count things out, box office receipts are down as much as 24% (as of the release of this article) from 2012. Many possible reasons exist, including a massive winter storm that hit the east coast earlier this month, but a lack of quality products is definitely not one of them: 2013 is already shaping up to best 2012's massive slew of terrific films. Whether moviegoers will return for the Spring to bail out Hollywood is anyone's guess.

With those answered, here are some big questions that continue to burn a hole in our heads and keep us up until all hours:

Will horror films actually be good this year? Sure, Mama has been an early financial surprise, but can the genre actually be inventive again? We're so obsessed with the Torture Porn of Saw that Hollywood has seemingly forgotten how to make scary/creepy without bimbos, boobs, and bondage. Under normal circumstances that combination works in the privacy of my home or dive motel, but horror has been perverted into an unappealing and predictable version of itself. Things don't look promising: Dark Skies has already been panned, and yet another Paranormal Activity flick is due out this year. Can we ever return to classic creepy without the ultra-violence of Torture Porn?
How much more money will Sci-Fi films make than other genres in 2013? Think about these titles: Oblivion, After Earth, Pacific Rim, Elysium, and Star Trek 2 all figure to be exciting fare best viewed in large dark rooms, but there's also the under-rated Enders Game and the George Clooney space survival film Gravity. While neither will probably bring in big cash, the genre as a whole is shaping up to be the most successful - and interesting - of 2013. Giant human-controlled robots? The Enterprise underwater? A brilliant strategist who uses humans on far-away worlds like chess pieces? Count me in!
Can Iron Man 3 and Thor: The Dark Worlds match up quality- and receipts-wise to the gargantuan The Avengers? Nothing in my mind matched the perfection of 2012's superhero BBQ get-together. When your film strikes billion-dollar gold, it's nearly impossible to expect a repeat performance, especially if what's coming isn't mega-superhero-mashup. "Phase Two" is on its way, and Marvel is already bracing for what is probably an unfair comparison. With Shane Black handling IM3 and Alan Taylor helming Thor, Marvel is demonstrating its command of the genre by filling its creative teams with competent people; Hemsworth and Downey Jr are perfect as Thor and Stark respectively, but will the love shown Avengers translate into higher box office grosses for these solo efforts (including 2014's Captain America: Winter Soldier)?
Will a Nolan Man of Steel be as good as a Nolan Dark Knight? Ever since the news of a page-one re-write of Will Beal's Justice League script hit the Internet, fans are wondering if DC will ever be able to grow their potentially-bankable heroes into something worthwhile. Christopher Nolan introduced an incredibly successful urban Batman to moviegoers, which unfortunately would not work with the kind of JL movie fans want. But, I can think of a lot of people I would hate to see head this project than Nolan, which at least gives me some hope. With Man of Steel inching its way to a June 14th release, we'll soon learn whether the Zak Snyder-directed reboot spells gloom or glory for a studio in seemingly constant turmoil.
Can Star Trek: Into Darkness live up to what fans need and deserve? Given the fact that I'm a Trekker born in the age of TOS, it's hard to look at JJ Abrams' first outing as anything other than a mixed bag. Two big plot holes were never fully addressed, leaving Kirk and crew in an odd alternate reality. That was the intent, but how Abrams got the Enterprise there left me... unfulfilled. With news circulating that Benedict Cumberbatch's character is indeed Khan, I find myself wondering if there will be a classic TOS story to complement the terrific CG, or if the images of Spock reaching out to Kirk between plastic is an omen of things to come. Nevertheless, this Spock-Uhura shagging has got to go. I can only take so much.
Can risky films like Oz The Great and Powerful, Hunger Games: Catching Fire, GI Joe: Retaliation, World War Z, and The Lone Ranger endear themselves to audiences? Credit Hollywood for wanting to grow some new franchises, but if these are the next best candidates, then we're in for rough waters. Things haven't looked good for several of these since they were announced; given their collective production challenges - including the palm-to-face response after learning of Retaliation's 9 month delay and rewarded with lowered expectations - we could see a number of Battleship/John Carter-like bombs this summer.

With potentially strong batch of films already in theaters, 2013 could be set for an amazing run. But with box office numbers way down from 2012, and these huge questions lingering for some of the most anticipated and well-financed films of the year, we could see yet another decline for Hollywood. Either way, we'll be here to report the results.

The Numbers So Far: Top Domestic Movies of 2013

2013-03-30T23:34:00.000-07:00

With the first three months of 2013's box office in the can, how does it match up to 2012? Read on to find out!

As the first quarter of 2013 draws to a close, we've been keeping a watchful eye on what's turned into one of the worst for the film industry since 2008. Even though Hollywood in 2012 churned out some of the best films in recent memory, such as Lincoln, Argo, and Avengers, a big question was already developing that took three months to answer. In a year that ended with nothing less than Zero Dark Thirty, The Hobbit, and Django Unchained, would audiences return en masse in early 2013? The answer wasn't fully clear until March, leading us to report that profits in February were down as much as 24%, with many wondering if this month could turn things around. So, did how did Hollywood fare in the first quarter? In a word: dismally.

According to our friends at BoxOfficeMojo, Hollywood reportedly made $2.123 billion through March 30 - down 14% from the same month last year - which represents the second-lowest first-quarter since 2008. Had it not been for the success of Oz The Great and Powerful leading the charge at $186 million domestically - and representing 20% of the total profits of the top 10 so far - we could have been talking about a much steeper decline.

But these numbers only tell half the story. Check out the top performers so far and notice the trend:

1. Oz The Great and Powerful $186,672,400

2. Identity Thief $128,817,890

3. Silver Linings Playbook $99,352,650

4. Zero Dark Thirty $94,172,217

5. Django Unchained $93,537,202

6. Les Miserables (2012) $75,753,685

7. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey $74,210,420

8. Mama $71,514,415

9. Safe Haven $69,423,682

10. A Good Day to Die Hard $66,393,000

Looking at the above, we notice that 5 of these films were actually released in 2012, not 2013. The problem becomes more pronounced when we use the same standards for 2012 (just one movie left over from 2011) and 2011 (only three 2010 leftovers). Things get downright depressing when you also compare Top 10 profits in March 2011 ($599 million) and 2012 ($1.077 billion) to March 2013 (approximately $440 million). In our opinion, all of this sends a very clear message: moviegoers are so far unimpressed with this year's new releases, opting to spend their money on proven Oscar worthy fare, rather than taking their chances on unknown or unimpressive offerings.

True, Identity Thief and Oz did pull in terrific profits, but a number of highly-publicized and good releases did not go far enough, including Gangster Squad, , Beautiful Creatures, and Broken City, each of which failed to draw audiences beyond a couple of weeks. Hollywood depends on these first-out films to keep people coming back after the holidays and to provide a transition to the peak season of May-Labor Day, which also saw deterioration in 2012.

So, where do all these numbers leave us? With April offering only one big release in the Tom Cruise Sci-Fi Oblivion, there doesn't seem to be any serious short-term challenge at reversing these losses. If Oblivion fails to impress at the box office, something we think could happen, Hollywood's loss sheet could go critical, especially when one considers the industry is down a staggering 62% (adding together individual monthly losses) from 2012. The already-maligned G.I. Joe: Retaliation may not have the legs for a solid run through April, and is already behind the pace of 2009's Rise of Cobra.

The news does get slightly better if you take out 2012 altogether and compare 2013 to 2011 - profits are actually up 4.8%. But in a year without an Avengers, Dark Knight Rises, or Skyfall (all of which made $2 billion domestically), theaters across America could see many more empty seats before Iron Man 3 arrives on May 3rd. Is Hollywood's dilemma just a fad or a trend? Will the trend be reversed in the second quarter? Comment below and join the discussion!

Author Matt Cummings is a Film and Blu-ray Critic for SandwichJohnFilms, HiDefNinja, and OnePerCase. Follow him on Twitter at @mfc90125.

Safe House Blu-ray Review

2012-06-17T22:08:00.000-07:00

Safe House is a gritty and engrossing spy thriller that sports an excellent transfer and good supplements. Click on the jump to learn more.

Reprinted from: SandwichJohnFilms & OnePerCase

A lot has been made of Ryan Reynolds since his franchise-ending performance in Green Lantern in 2011. What seemed like a bankable actor in 2010 suddenly became a Hollywood after-thought. Even a good rebound performance in Buried couldn't get audiences to come back. That's why a meaty role like Safe House was just the thing he needed, proving to everyone that good roles and production values can bring almost anyone back from such colossal disappointments as Green Lantern. Say what you want about him, but everything about Safe House is top notch.

The Movie - 4/5

Matt Weston (Reynolds) is a young CIA agent whose career is stuck managing a safe house in Cape Town, South Africa. A haven for agents on the run, those planning an operation, or those interrogating a prisoner, a safe house is almost like CIA's home away from home. But, Reynolds doesn't see it that way, as his days are spent alone in the building while trying to keep his girlfriend Ana (Nora Arnezeder, Paris 36) from discovering his true identity. All of that changes when super-agent turned traitor Tobin Frost (Denzel Washington, Glory, Crimson Tide) shows up at the South African Embassy after being pursued by a group of mercenaries. Frost has made a living on selling government secrets to the highest bidder, and his skills as a pure killer are only outweighed by his arrogance and cool-under-fire persona. He's got a killer file to sell: a NOC-list of all dirty agents in the CIA, MI-6, Mossad, and other agencies, thus the pursuit by the mercenaries. As the safe house is compromised, Frost sits in the interrogation chair chiding an agent to remember, "Time's a wasting. Tick tock, tick tock, tick tock..." As Weston is dragged in to protecting Frost, he's reminded by Frost, "Remember rule number one: you are responsible for your house guest. I'm your house guest." These sorts of funny lines break up the intensity of the action without seeming silly or cliched.

From the beginning of Safe House, the ride is intense and filled with plot surprises. It's less about Weston protecting 'the asset' as it is a classroom lesson in becoming a super agent, with Frost as the villainous school master. Weston learns these lessons the hard way, whether being shot at in a terrific chase scene after the house is compromised, in various hand-to-hand confrontations, or in the empty promises of gruff director Harlan Whitford (Sam Shepard, The Right Stuff). His "We'll take it from here" line midway through the movie sends Weston down a spiraling road, challenging him to question everything he's been taught and every agent he meets. The supporting cast is also stellar, including Vera Farminga (Up in the Air), Brendan Gleeson (Green Zone), and Ruben Blades (Cradle Will Rock). Safe House is generally considered by critics as a ho-hum, middle-of-the-road thriller that looks and sounds Bourne-esque and features mailed-in performances. Bull - this film is gritty and engrossing from the first frame, funny when it needs to be, but grounded in the distrust that people seem to feel towards certain aspects of their government. Action sequences are intense, and Washington and Reynolds have terrific chemistry, which benefits Reynolds as his star power is once again fully re-charged (no Green Lantern pun intended). Sure, there are problems - the NOC-list isn't fully explained until near the end, some of Washington's dialogue is muttered, and there's a Bourne Identity-like ending with Anna - but its casting, direction, and scale are solid, reminding audiences that action movies can and should have solid storylines, even if it looks and feels like other films we've already seen.

The Video - 4.5/5

Safe House is presented in a 1080 MPEG-4/AVC transfer that does't miss a beat. Frankly, it's one of the best transfers I've seen in 2012, because the grittiness of Director Espinoza's (Easy Money) film is retained in all its stunning style. Every washed out white, every bit of grain, and every crushed color is perfectly and faithfully transferred to the home release. Skin tone, blood, sweat, and even Washington's black and graying hair are clear against other elements. Clothes look like they've been through the ringer, and smashed window glass and banged up cars look terrific. What makes this a truly excellent product is all of these elements appear without banding, edge enhancement, or haloing. In short, Universal has dutifully maintained the efforts of Director of Photography Oliver Wood (Bourne franchise), presenting a final product that celebrates every shaky cam sequence and every long shot in grand style. I'm not sure whether the graininess of Safe House would transfer well to the new LED panels, which is why I'm hesitant to give this a perfect score. But on my plasma, the effect was near-perfect.

The Audio - 4.5/5

Universal once again delivers an impressive DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track that helps set the tone of the film from the outset. Explosions, gunfire, and the crush of hand-to-hand combat is powerful and lend an incredibly real-life aspect to the experience. The LFE is amazingly aggressive, punching its way through almost every scene and resonating so often you feel like you are being chased along with Weston. The score by Ramin Djawadi (Iron Man) is happy to exist as part of the film's pulse without getting in the way of either action or dialogue. I like it, but there's nothing memorable here, which was probably the intent. The only thing that keeps me from giving this another perfect rating is Washington's mumbled speech at key points in the story - I'm not sure if this was intended as part of Frost's larger persona, or if readers of these reviews noticed the same thing, but several of our test audience members mentioned it. However, the overall effect will leave you excited and at the same time relieved when the lights come up. In this way, it's mission accomplished for Universal.

Supplements - 4.5/5

Universal seems to be at the forefront with supplements and introducing new technologies to improve the viewing experience. Safe House is no different, boasting a nice (albeit some frustrating) array of features, all offered in HD:

U-Control Features (HD): Although the interface is sporadic a little often for my tastes, Universal's U-Control feature cuts between many interviews with cast and crew, behind-the-scenes footage, stunt and fight choreography videos, and more. The other feature - titled "Scene Explorer" - appears once in awhile on certain chapters and provides access to storyboards and the 'B-roll footage' (sequences shot from the cars and other locations), which appear as a PiP window without audio from the film. You can also expand these scenes to fill the screen which will then provide the audio track but not the film. In the end, you could watch Safe House several times and engage each feature to see various aspects of production. Such impressive software lends greater value to the disc when it comes time to fork over the cash at your local store.
Universal Second Screen Experience: One of the most interesting and at the same time frustrating experiences is Universal's Second Screen. You can download a 'Pocket BLU' app to your phone, tablet, PC or Mac, and sync it with the film. When it worked, the app was awesome, allowing me to control every aspect of the film using my Wi-Fi connection and watch additional content while the film progressed. However, the app kept shutting down on my iPhone, eventually causing the phone itself to restart. A mixed experience, but hopefully it's a technology that will continue to evolve, as it has the possibility of providing a unique movie experience.
Making Safe House (HD, 11 minutes): The first part of the insightful featurette focuses on Espinoza and the script which originally appeared on the "Black List" website before put into production, then moves to the casting of Ryan Reynolds and Denzel Washington.
Hand-to-Hand Action (HD, 8 minutes): The brutal and 'dirty' fighting sequences are broken down courtesy of Fight Coordinator Olivier Schneider, taking the audience through a detailed breakdown of how a scene is scripted and executed. The great part is that every one of these highly choreographed scenes come off as less-polished than they really are, lending a real substance to the film.
Shooting the Safe House Attack (HD, 5 minutes): This quick but informative discussion centers around the breaching of the safe house.
Building the Rooftop Chase (HD, 4 minutes): Espinoza and his team discuss the roof leaping scene involving Washington, Fares, and Reynolds.
Behind the Action (HD, 8 minutes): A hodge-podge of the various action scenes throughout the film, we also granted a sit-down with Stunt Coordinator Greg Powell (The Bourne Ultimatum) and Espinoza.
Inside the CIA (HD, 6 minutes): The realistic backdrops of CIA HQ in Langley, Virginia and the Cape Town safe house are featured, along with the insights of Technical Advisor Luis Falcone III, who served 30 years in the CIA.
Safe Harbor - Cape Town (HD, 9 minutes): The 'uncredited extra' of Cape Town is featured, along with the challenges of filming on location in and around the city.
My Scenes Bookmarking: This feature says what it does, allowing viewers to bookmark favorite scenes from the films.

While there are several versions of the film available, I suggest securing the Best Buy steelbook, which has all the features of the slipcase edition, but sports very good artwork (both exterior and interior). The version I reviewed offered the Combo Pack with the slipcase and UV copy of the film.

The Final Word - 4/5

Safe House performed very well at the box office, securing over $200 million worldwide and returning Ryan Reynolds to Hollywood's A-List. Denzel Washington's quiet rage of Tobin Frost is a nice balance to the film's gritty and intense environment. The home release does not disappoint, with a terrific assortment of supplements, and a very good video and audio transfer. It ranks in my Top 10 films of 2012, and near the top in the home release category. Safe House is rated R for intense violence and language, and comes highly recommended.

Marvel Thor 6 Inch Figures Review

2012-02-24T12:00:00.000-08:00

Hasbro succeeds again in its release of the Thor exclusive line from Walmart.

Here's a second packaging review of the 6" line from Hasbro which recently went clearance at Walmart. Don't let their short run keep you from owning them! Paint apps look terrific through the plastic, and the attention to packaging make this a must-have for collectors.

For now, check out my packaging review below:

Batman: Arkham City Legacy 2-Pack Packaging Review

2012-02-22T12:00:00.000-08:00

Does Series 2 of this line continue to impress, or should it be banished to Arkham?

Click below to see my video review of the packaging for this product. As a rule, I do not open items I cannot return to its original look.

Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance Review

2012-02-21T20:33:00.004-08:00

Does Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance redeem the franchise or cast it further into reboot hell? Note: major plot spoilers ahead!

Do I have something in my teeth?

Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance is a weird movie. Unlike the zaniness of The Dark Backward or even the mother of weirdness Begotten, GRSOV gives off the strange party-guest-who-holds-up-the-wall vibe than offering something truly unique. From the outset, you realize that this sequel to the 2007 yawn-fest wants to be different, recognized, and respected. After the first Ghost Rider was plagued with mailed-in performances and an action-heavy script, a new team was brought in, led by directors Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor. These guys are better known for 90-minute action films (Crank, Crank: High Voltage) than for their abilities as cinematic heavy-hitters. Add to the fact that GR was financed by the relatively unknown and second-tier Abu Dhabi Media (The Double), and everything seems uniquely out of place. The result is a film that falls short from the start and barely reaches anything above a pulse worth measuring.

The plot is fairly simple: Johnny Blaze (Nicholas Cage, Raising Arizona) wants the soul-sucking Ghost Rider out of his system. Enter a priest (Iris Elba, Thor) who promises to do just that if Blaze will help rescue a boy with magical powers who is to be sacrificed by the Devil (Ciarán Hinds, Tinker Tailor Solider Spy), thus making the dark lord all powerful on earth. This will, of course, bring a smashing end to all things Earthly, as the Devil will assume the boy’s body, making him immortal, and plunging the Earth into darkness. Yeah. It’s not long before the film descends into tired clichés, punctuated by silly, unnecessary one-liners and therefore adhering to the worst of modern cinematic sin: that CGI can save a movie when errors of story are present. This point is proven true at several moments throughout the film, as Cage struggles to separate his identity from that of the Rider, then learning he’s carrying an assassin angel under his leathers, only to get Rider back just in time for an unappealing and flat climax.

There are many unconvincing aspects about Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance which present unavoidable and destructive consequences for the film. Poor casting decisions (particularly with the boy and his mother) along with failure to use talent effectively pop up in several key sequences. Even the appearance of Christopher Lambert (Highlander) as lead priest near the film’s end is just not given enough screen time. Lambert’s unique presence could have upped the ante, providing greater character conflict for Cage; but their scenes together feel rushed which ultimately kills any pseudo-cameo feeling. Johnny Whitworth’s bad guy is only moderately appealing, even when the Devil pimps his ride, turning Whitworth into a lethal flesh-eating hitman. There’s simply no incentive for the audience to love these characters, and the funny scenes (Blaze’s urination sequence is pretty good) are too few and far between to be relevant to the story.

Did someone fart up in here? Oh, it's the movie that stinks.

However, the film is visually appealing, with directors Taylor and Neveldine bringing their Crank sensibilities and merging those with some neat anime sequences at the beginning and middle of the film. There is an insightful behind-the-scenes short featuring the antics of the directors, currently featured on YouTube that is far more interesting than anything in this film. Some of the wire acts to get Taylor into shot are as detailed as the actual stunts themselves. Even with all this effort, Taylor and Neveldine are not kings of silver screen drama, but they can only do so much with a 95-minute script that arrives spun out on the side of the road. Finally, a notice to Hollywood: stop post-producing 3D. If you cannot afford the cameras at the time a film is shot, then drop the concept. GH's post-3D treatment is unnecessary and actually gets in the way for those of us sporting glasses. If you're like me and see 3D as an inconvenient distraction, then save your money and either see the film in 2D or skip it altogether.

GRSOV will make good money in its first week. Cage fans will see this, because that's how Cage fans are. But the film doesn't have enough to survive in theaters for very long. Expect both a serious falloff after Week 2 and talk about a reboot soon after. It’s no wonder that critics were discouraged from posting reviews prior to its release, and serves proof that Marvel’s spinoff group, Marvel Knights, needs more focus and better storytellers before it can compete. Your time would be better spent getting ready for The Avengers by re-watching that franchise and waiting for Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance to show up soon on video. After February, this one might be hard to find in theaters.

Transformers Ultimate Collector's Trilogy Unboxing

2012-02-21T20:31:00.004-08:00

Michael Bay's epic robot smash-fest gets the proper treatment in this insanely over-the-top release.

Regardless of your opinion of this franchise, it's clear that Michael Bay know how to do big projects. The trilogy release is no different: it's clearly the best of this new year, and might go down as the best box set release in quite awhile. Please read my full review of this HERE. For now, enjoy this unboxing:

The Ultimate Matrix Blu-ray Trilogy For Only $25.49

2012-01-28T16:38:00.000-08:00

If you haven't seen this sweet deal, you should consider picking it up. For a limited time, you can purchase The Matrix Trilogy on Blu-ray for only $25.49! No coupon code needed!

Spanning 6 discs, and featuring more content than you can imagine, this deal is available through Amazon, and comes with free shipping. This is the best deal on this set since Black Friday, and if you haven't seen the series on Blu-ray, the transfers are stunning! Each film is presented in 1080p with Dolby TrueHD sound and come with special features on the discs themselves. There are 3 more discs, loaded with additional content, such as the impressive Japanese animation series The Animatrix, which frankly are better than the last two movies in this series. There are actually 2 additional discs of content, and the picture below shows that you also receive a booklet. In my opinion, The Ultimate Matrix represents the very best of box sets. The deal actually works out to about $4.24 for each disc!

Again, this deal from Amazon won't last long, and with free shipping, you can't go wrong. Check it out!

A Technology Wish List for 2012

2012-01-04T20:36:00.000-08:00

The end of the world might be here soon, but it's not too late to create your own tech Bucket List.

With more people acquiring technology in their homes, it's time we start using this stuff to actually improve our lives. We have computers, but the local no-service Internet company is restricting your downloading. We have smart phones, but few ways to use them smartly. Here now are some ways you and your friendly neighborhood corporate entity to make our tech lives easier before the end of the world arrives.

Cease the practice of data download restrictions. I understand that technology is moving towards portable devices and Internet content delivered by large and powerful corporations, which is causing a bandwidth problem; but, how I am supposed to enjoy a football game from my smartphone, or watch my favorite episodes on my computer if the local Internet provider is limiting my data download? This asinine decision is coming from both economic stresses as well as a desire to drive people to use other means to get their programming, most notably with other pay services which that company already owns. This is why AT&T, who owns both phone and television services, want you to watch their content on TV only. They have no desire to see you use their data services to watch The Big Bang Theory on your smart TV or cell phone, when they can charge you a big fee to watch it on U-Verse. With the technology ground shifting under both customers and corporations alike, redefining how we use every device, local Internet companies are threatening to stymie one of the most unprecedented technological periods in this or any time, by forcing a limit on future data downloads. Stop this insane practice, and allow users to learn how to take advantage of their portable devices, to make their lives easier and more productive.

Offer pay television with only the stations you want. Do you know that 238,000 left Comcast in Q2 2011, and that the cable company has lost almost 2 million subscribers since Q2 2010? Dish and Direct are facing similar pressures, which tells you something about people's priorities. Sure, some of these subscribers land with a competitor, but a growing number of people are leaving pay television for Internet downloading and OTA, myself included. Pay-for-TV companies need to recognize that their traditional models of offering a gagillion channels, most of which neither want nor want to pay for, is outdated and cannot survive in a stagnant economy such as ours. It's time to offer packages where we choose the stations we want, which should drive down prices and improve quality. Do anything less, and people like me will stick to our OTA, torrents, and HULUs.

Introduce voice commands on all future computers, tablets, and smart phones. With the advent of the iPhone 4s and XBOX360, it's clear that voice-to-text tech is here to stay. We now live in an age where tech such as this should be incorporated into everything with a chip and monitor; voice-to-text has been offered on Office platforms for years, yet the trend is only catching on. Imagine how such tech could assist the elderly in making a phone call, or someone with limited movement surf the web. And while you're at it, throw a little Artificial Intelligence in there, so users feel they are actually talking to someone. In this age of text messages, a little pseudo-human interaction wouldn't hurt.

Recognize the importance of CableCard. This technology, which allows you to watch cable or satellite television without a converter box, has shown up only in only limited ways (quad tuner cards). Imagine not having to use the local company's slow, constantly breaking down DVR box (Comcast, I'm lookin' right at ya!), and going with a TIVO box, or something you build yourself. Get this tech into people's hands, and stop making it so damn hard to find. It streamlines our Home Theatre parade of components, and it offers consumers more choices.

Build a national hi-speed rail. If you have been to other countries, you know the importance that HSR plays in getting people great distances. Our country has been pathetically slow to introduce this, and the California system appears in real trouble. Building a national HSR puts people back to work, offers travelers a fast and (hopefully) cheaper alternative to flight (think Sacramento to LA in 2 hours), and sends the message that America can stand up technologically to the Japans and Europes of the world.

Get Americans back into space. I cannot state this enough times: Americans deserve to be in space. The idea that we have to send our astronauts to a rocket pad in a foreign country disgusts me. We are the home to Glenn, Armstrong, Young, and Ride. We are the nation that builds the space station and sends ships to other planets. We are not hitchhikers on the cosmic train. Unleash American ingenuity and build a spaceship using existing Apollo and Shuttle rocket technology, or get a private entity to do so. It's ridiculous we don't have a mission planned to the moon, or any idea when we'll get to Mars. At this rate, I would have more luck building the damn thing myself.

Make data integrity and security a top priority. iCloud...Skydrive...Amazon Cloud...data security. Like the old Seasame Street song, one might ask which of these things is not like the other. Data security seems like the last thing on developer's minds these days. Think about the break-ins at Sony this summer, or the seemingly endless news about sensitive data being stolen. The reason why this data is constantly 'mined' is simple: users and the keepers of our data refuse to incorporate greater security precautions for fear of losing interest or customers. Add European protections to American credit card transactions, and theft nearly disappears. Require every email to be sent encrypted with a unique signature, one that is sent by the user and opened up with a unique identifier on the receiving end, and you eliminate spam (Leo Laporte has referred to this concept on his show many times, all with the same result). Until users demand that their data be fully secured, we run the risk of another Sony or Sutter Health. I don't know about you, but I'm getting tired of them.

Replace George Lucas' brain with the one he had circa 1982. I always throw a little zinger into these things, but when was the last time Lucas made a good movie without the help of Steven Spielberg? It's time we Science Fiction Heads took control, kidnap McFatty from his THX throne, and travel back in time to secure the REAL George Lucas. Not only will not allow fans film interpretations of his universe (which would be so much better than Clone Wars), but he's now buying the rights to dead actors in the hopes of CGI-ing them into a movie. I kid you not...This man lost his lightsaber a long time ago. From Jar Jar to mediclorines, George Lucas has sinned upon his own church. Let Jedi's and Siths join together to find a way to replace Lucas' brain with his 1982 version. If we can make Siri, time travel can't be that far behind.

Best Steelbook Releases of 2011

2011-12-31T21:00:00.000-08:00

This year's releases stretched worldwide, but ultimately came back to roost in good old America.

As 2011 draws to an end, and the supposed end of the world draws near, let's take a moment to look back at some of the top Blu-Ray Steelbooks that were released this year.

Tron - Legacy: Sweden (Released with Tron (1980)

A beautiful and simple release, T:L re-introduced us to lightcycles and the smokin' hot Olivia Wilde. I was totally taken with the story, which finds Jeff Bridges trying to get out of The Grid, and his young son played by Garrett Hedlund trying to help. This Swedish release looks as good as the American Best Buy exclusive Identity Disc set, with inside artwork and an excellent cover.

Sucker Punch Extended Edition ComicCon Exclusive

Clearly, the best release of the year, this steelbook rolled the dice and came up big, with embossed colored images on the cover, and impressive interior artwork. Much like the Target release of Fast Five, Sucker Punch also came with a soundtrack as part of the four-disc set. This will set the standard by which all future steelbooks are judged, and with good reason. It's too bad that the film didn't come close to matching its Blu-Ray release.

The Lion King Best Buy Exclusive

With the release of this on Blu-Ray, Best Buy stepped up and hit a home run with their steelbook design. Basically, if you placed a $7.50 deposit with them and promised to pay the remainder at release time, you were provided this special case in addition to whatever edition you had planned on getting. This version is known technically as a Viva Metal Pack, due to its plastic spine; however, I've done some research into this, and even though the interior is different than a classic steelbook, I don't believe the title will outlast Steelbook's powerful name. The interior of this contains a colored image as well.

Captain America HMV (UK) Exclusive

If 2011 was known as the year of the comic book hero, then Captain America had to be at the top of most people's lists. The transformation of WWII Steve Rogers from scrawny scrapper to super soldier, Captain America has set the stage for the highly-anticipated Avengers release in May. Unfortunately, the best release America got was the extremely disappointing Best Buy exclusive slipcover with comic book Issue #1 on the back slip. WTF? Don't American audiences deserve better?? Fortunately, HMV (UK) stepped up with one of the most compelling and appropriate covers.

This epic, embossed cover of Cap's worn shield is clearly one of the best efforts of the year. The wording is embossed but not the shield itself, which is the only issue I have. As you can see, the inside artwork is beautiful and shows off the movie's main characters very well. It's a real shame that American audiences had to rely on foreign countries to offer a better release. Hollywood should be ashamed of itself.

Thor HMV (UK) Exclusive

Again, another terrific Marvel release that required a foreign nation to supply us with a better Blu-Ray. Thor's name is embossed and Mjölnir looks incredible. This film introduced me to the superhero genre, with its witty dialogue, attention to detail, and excellent casting and music. Along with Captain America, it's going to rocket into my top 20 films of all time. This release is just icing on the cake.

Scarface (Worldwide)

The rise of Tony Montana, and the blood bath ending of Scarface make for one of the most classic films in American cinema. The steelbook release of Scarface should be as memorable, with a smooth but shiny cover, as well as nice interior artwork. This ain't The Godfather but it's pretty close...

Cars 2 (Best Buy Exclusive)

Ok, granted Cars 2 was no cinematic masterpiece; alright, it was almost as awful as Sucker Punch, but the Blu-Ray release saw a similar deal to The Lion King with customers getting a free Viva Metal Pack with the pre-order or any version of the film. As you can see from these images, including the interior, Disney did a good job with the release:

Green Lantern (Best Buy Exclusive)

Easily the biggest flop of the year ($200 million to make, $220 in worldwide), Green Lantern has raised serious doubts about DC's viability past Batman. Whether they can get this ship righted to compete with Marvel is anyone's guess. But for now, we can all enjoy a beauty of a release from Best Buy, complete with a terrific back cover of GL's mantra.

Cowboys and Aliens (Target Exclusive)

While this film did not resonate with audiences, the American steelbook release from Target has been wildly successful, as current prices on eBay for unopened versions will reflect. The cover is smooth but very detailed. It's hard to find pictures of the inside artwork, and based on the rocketing prices for this one, I have no intention of opening mine. Indications are that it is colored and features images of the cast members.

Give Me a Real Bad Guy!

2011-12-30T21:00:00.000-08:00

Hollywood's fascination with one-film bad guys needs to end.

A classic montage of Hollywood super villains. Does Hollywood really know when to properly use them?

Times used to be that a bad guy on the silver screen was expected to show up over more than one film. Classic villains like Darth Vader and SPECTRE followed our characters like white on rice, never more than a couple of steps behind. Then, things began to turn in the early 80's. I seem to remember Superman II as the culprit, with General Zod offering Supes a fair fight, but ultimately losing. While the killing of Zod and his crew created a hole that III simply could not replace, it set in motion the plan that each movie must have his own bad guy. Thus, the seeds were sown.

Having said this, allow me to be clear: not every action or Sci-Fi film needs a recurring evil force, as sometimes it's good to have a main baddy escape but his minions to either be captured or killed.

George, why did I have to be so...white...underneath??

The presence of a multi-film bad guy has many advantages:

Generates press for a franchise between shoots: For those of you who were lucky enough to live before the Internet, you'll know that publications like Starlog were the only method to discuss movies in production with a wide audience. Lucas got so much free press between between Empire and Jedi, as fans toiled with whether Vader really was Luke's father.

Saves Hollywood time and money in generating new bad guys: There are only so many times that Hollywood can make exceptional baddies. Like a herd that sometimes releases cattle to be slaughtered, the standard practice of releasing one-time bad guys limits real character development, forcing the studios into a 'Bad Guy of the Week' of mentality. If you're building a franchise, why limit yourself to this outdated concept?

Limits the possibility that the baddy will flop, and ensure your baddy will live far beyond that the series: Who was the dude in The Expendables? What about Wanted? Any Bond film between Roger Moore and Daniel Craig's run? Does anyone remember these guys? Hollywood should limit their releases to only well-conceived bad guys with a deep story, and be prepared to expand their story over several movies, unless that movie is destined to be a one-episode story.

The Matrix's Agent Smith is a classic example of a great Hollywood bad guy gone lame by Revolutions.

Some could make the case that recent "franchise baddies" were mismanaged: think Agent Smith (The Matrix), and even Voldemort (Harry Potter) and Sauron (Lord of the Rings). After very strong starts, none were used effectively in later episodes. Even the aforementioned Vader has been the subject of ridicule by fans who blame Lucas for marginalizing, destroying, and worse emasculating, the image of the once-great Dark Lord. Perhaps that's the reason why we fail to see long-term bad guys: they're simply too hard to maintain over a stretch run. It's a fair statement, given the examples I have provided. But Hollywood can do better; all of these characters suffered from execution rather than failure as characters themselves. Consider the one genre in which all bad guys return over multiple runs: the comic book. Hollywood should pay closer attention to the work done within the comic book industry, drawing inspiration if need be.

Create memorable bad guys that fans will flock to see: why should good guys have all the fun?

The Simpsons: The Fourteenth Season Review

2011-12-27T21:45:00.001-08:00

With the release of The Simpsons Season 14 on Blu-Ray this month, one must ask the following questions: are the Simpsons still relevant, and why the long delay between releases? First answer: HECK YA they’re still relevant! Twenty-three seasons, featuring over 1,000 guest voices, a nasty habit for leaving few races or social issues unscathed, and 27 Emmys since 1989. Second answer: WHO KNOWS why this release is so late. My first thought was they were just lazy like Homer sitting on his couch with a can of Duff; but in reality, I think creator Matt Groening is so bent on getting these releases right, that rushing through things is just not his way. I’m hoping my latter guess is more on target. Regardless of how you might feel about the current Simpsons run, as you might be watching NBC’s Football Night in America, season 14 is classic television that you should not miss.

This site is all about the unique in what we find with the world, so hopefully this fascinating box set will fit right in. I’m not going to spend time talking about all 22 episodes here, rather share with you couple of favorites:

· “How I Spent My Strummer Vacation,” featuring the voices of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, Elvis Costello, and other 60’s/70’s rockers;

· “Large Marge” who accidentally receives breast implants

· “Pray Anything,” as sacrilegious as anything I can remember from this series, as Homer uses prayer to upend Springfield;

· “I’m Spelling as Fast as I Can,” with the absolutely epic scene of Homer consuming his first (then second, then tenth) Krusty’s rib sandwhich.

Here's the 3D Version...

...and the standard release

Packaging – 5/5

There are two versions available: one is a slipcover (which I am reviewing) with a picture of the aliens Kodos and Kang from the Treehouse of Horror yearly episodes, and a 3D box with the discs inside. Both are visually very appealing, and feature a densely-packed amaray case. It’s one of the best examples I’ve seen in which the amaray case was so well used. Look inside and remove the discs to see additional color scenes behind the blue case! Another exceptional part of the packaging is the artbook, detailing every episode with visual cues at the bottom of each page for director’s commentary, etc. The quality here proves that Hollywood can use amaray to deliver a quality product without sacrificing their desire for bottom-line accountability.

Video Quality – 4/5

Although these episodes premiered between 2002-2003 in 1.33:1 aspect ratio, the result of this transfer is impressive. Because the animation here is fairly simple, blacks don’t bleed into whites, and blurriness was never seen. Some fans are concerned when they learned that the source video was DVD – how could a Blu-Ray transfer be any better than the original source DVD? My answer: It is, now get over it. However, it should be noted that Groening’s opening couch gags and the rest of the introductions are clearly from different film stock, even different seasons. If you’re willing to look over that, the quality of these transfers is outstanding.

Audio Quality – 4/5

Each episode features a lossless audio transfer in DTS-HD 5.1 surround. This creates a crisp experience in the front speakers, but the rear ones will feel a little left out. Ambient sounds (random crowd noises, street sounds, etc) are not really present; in fact, they are missing almost entirely here. French and Spanish formats are also available, as well as subtitles, for those of you who wish to test their bilingualism. My hope is that, as future seasons are released, the surround track will be given more attention. The only people who would have issue with this are audio nerds like me, so don’t let that be a reason not to buy it.

Special Features – 5/5

What makes this set so appealing is huge amount of special features. It would take you just as long to get through all of them as to watch the episodes themselves! From the neat motion menus, which features six different Simpsons characters interacting with each other, to the large list below, it’s clear that right people were involved with this project::

Audio Commentaries: Believe it or not, every episode contains a commentary. Normally, I would say skip these, but when you have guest appearances by people like ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic and others, it’s safe to say you will be laughing a lot through these.
A Haunting Invite from Matt Groening (1080p, 2:12)
In the Beginning (Standard Def, 12:43): A selection of the opening sequences from the “Treehouse of Horror” episodes.
It's Only Rock 'n' Roll (Standard, 9:05): A behind-the-scenes featurette of the "How I Spent My Strummer Vacation" rockers recording their lines. Keith Richards is…well…classic Keith here.
Sketch Gallery I (1080p, 2:14): Sketches for "How I Spent My Strummer Vacation."
The 300th Episode - Barting Over (SD, 1:56): A discussion about the airing of the 300th episode.
Sketch Gallery II (1080p, 2:14): More early character drawings.
The Halloween Classics (Standard, 8:18): A collection of more Treehouse moments.
Bonus: Treehouse of Horror V (Standard, 22:53): A pretty funny parody of The Shining.
Deleted Scenes (1080p, 11:06): Al Jean is featured in this section, with the long-time producer and writer sharing commentaries and introductions. You can also watch specific episodes with deleted scenes re-inserted.
Animation Showcase: Moe Baby Blues (1080p, 5:26): In this feature, you can toggle your remote between the storyboards and completed animations.
Special Language Feature: Three Gays of the Condo: This episode is absolutely hilarious, is one of my favorites from the series, and has the added charm of being presented in German, Portuguese, Czech, German, or Italian.
Foolish Earthlings (Standard, 3:44): The aliens Kang and Kodos are featured.
Bonus: Treehouse of Horror VI (Standard, 22:48): This classic Treehouse episode from 1995, shows Homer running around in a 3D CGI world.
Booklet: As mentioned previously, I love the fact that the artbook is present here.

The Bottom Line: 4/5

The Simpsons remain as ridiculous, funny, irreverent, and now sacrilegious, as they ever were. Part of the American lexicon, the lives of Homer, Bart, Lisa, and Marge have redefined America comedic television, as Seinfeld did in the live action genre. But the reasoning for the series’ long run is simple: strong writing, witty commentary, and a flair for the dramatically funny. Add a very good video and audio transfer, coupled with appealing special features and well-designed packaging, and The Simpsons Season 14 release makes an excellent value. MEMO TO FOX: please release the remainder of the old seasons in this manner, and do it before 2020 gets around!

Mission Impossible IV: Ghost Protocol IMAX Review

2011-12-22T09:25:00.000-08:00

For those of you who remember Tom Cruise before "The Couch," before the strange marriage to Katie Holmes and his weird fascination with Scientology, you are lucky. From Risky Business and Top Gun, to A Few Good Men and Jerry Maguire, Cruise owned the movies. Then came that interview with Oprah, and a string of critical flops (Minority Report, Collateral) and misfires inevitably occurred. Mission Impossible III, now 6 years in the mirror, failed to draw audiences, and even Valkyrie failed to attract much attention. Any actor would love that sort of filmography attached to their name, but the mystique Cruise created for himself has understandably kept audiences away. Does this week's release of Mission Impossible IV: Ghost Protocol, return Cruise to Top Gun status, or do further damage to his once legendary reputation?

Luckily, I can make a strong case for the former. MI:IV is a terrific film, complete with amazing stunts, great character development, fresh faces, and the always necessary cameos. Cruise, who once again performed his own stunts, and he has the face to prove it; his age is starting to show, but it's given him the "I just got out of a bar fight" look, ala Daniel Craig in the Bond movies, and I'm ok with that. When Ethan Hunt is scaling the windows of the tallest building in the world, Dubai's Burj Khalifa Tower, that's really Cruise up there. Those scenes, shot by director Brad Bird (Ratatouille, The Incredibles) in IMAX, gave me and others a effective series case of the queasies. But Cruise is in his element here, acting as both general and soldier when he's on screen, but willing to step aside when it's necessary to further the story.

When Cruise (Ethan Hunt) and fellow IMF agents Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg) and Jane Carter (Paula Patton) are implicated in an attack on The Kremlin, the President initiates Ghost Protocol, basically disavowing the entire IMF corps. Agent Hunt and his team escape after a deadly attack and learn that the event in Moscow is a deadly prelude to a more sinister plan. Rather than learning how each piece of the puzzle works, which was the problem with MI: I and III, we are presented with goals/benchmarks that our players must complete in order to reach the next 'level.' Think part video game, part weekend garage project. This doesn't get in the way of the film's character development, nor does it interfere with the large action set pieces that are really center to this tale. There are several side stories that I won't bore you with, but it's safe to say that many of our actors come with some sort of official agent baggage when Cruise re-assembles them after hit on The Kremlin. Even Cruise's marriage from MI: III is discussed, which helps to create a sense of continuity that was lacking in the other films. Dialogue is funny without being silly, and tense moments are not overly emotional. Although such behavior is unrealistic, perhaps that's what we should expect from our heroes. You are forced to suspend belief anyways with these large action pieces, so the toughness of our heroes is to be expected.

I've gone on here without talking about Jeremy Renner; his arrival as analyst William Brandt is just what Cruise and the franchise needed. Renner (The Town, The Hurt Locker) is exciting to watch and much like Daniel Craig, Matt Damon, and Cruise himself, seems like the perfect rough-hewn protagonist. His relationship with Cruise is one part colleague, another part mysterious. Brandt's got a past that directly involves Hunt, but the movie doesn't tip that hand too early. Renner bears a lot of weight in this film, filling in nicely when Cruise isn't around. The long term plan is to make Renner the centerpiece of the MI films, and I personally don't have a problem with that. Simon Pegg (Star Trek) is good, as is Paula Patton - she's part of a good cat fight in this film that I wish had continued a while longer. There's not much to say about the bad guy here, except to say that he's, well...not around that much. But this movie doesn't rely on a baddy to say baddy things too much - he's more like a mouse to Hunt's cat. I'd like to see Hollywood in general embrace bad guys over several films, giving audiences a chance to really 'hate' one (think Darth Vader) before taking him/her down. The lack of one here doesn't reduce the effectiveness of the film.

Director Brad Bird makes a seamless and elegant transition from the animated world to that of live action. Several of his sequences are sweeping, but he doesn't get lost in them. Bird is tightly focused in action scenes and allows the film to breathe when it needs to. There are a couple of cameos in the film, and fans of the franchise will silently laugh at the way this film makes fun of itself at times; again, the comedy is welcomed because it doesn't bog down the story. I strongly recommend seeing this film in IMAX, and make sure you go to an authentic theatre, which means you need the 6-story screen. There is a tradeoff however in that you're watching projection film which, over a very short period of time, can degrade. See this film 2 weeks from now and it will look a lot different than it would on a digital screen, which is perfect every time (think a Blu-Ray player with a massive screen). Another reason to see MI:IV is the 6-minute prologue to the highly-anticipated The Dark Knight Rises. I'll be reviewing that on a separate posting, but make sure you see it.

People have slammed Tom Cruise over the years, and with good reason. It's time however to give the guy his credit and perhaps let him back into the party. Cruise delivers a solid, comeback-film performance in Mission Impossible IV: Ghost Protocol, and frankly I hope audiences look past his errors and gaffs and give the guy and this film a chance. Cruise has served his time in "I'm an idiot" prison long enough. Consider that before looking the other way on this one.

Roll the Dice!

2011-12-20T20:20:00.000-08:00

Is a polyhedral die in my future? Let's let the dice decide!!

For years, I've been tormented daily at which series to watch on my home theatre. Is it an Indiana Jones evening, a Transformers afternoon, or time for an Avengers super set? Well, no longer to worry, for I have gone to THE DICE to decide. Yes, those multi-sided friends that I used to determine my fate in Dungeons and Dragons all those years ago will now aide me in making the most problematic decision of the day.

Now, if you're a fan of The Big Bang Theory, this all may sound familiar: in season 5, Sheldon uses dice to determine, among other things, what he will eat, what percentage of his face to shave, and whether he will wear underwear or not on any given day. While I promise not use this sort of randomness to determine the latter or the middle, the former does also have its allure. Dinner and meal choices in general are sometimes so debateable in my house, that I would rather eat glass or ticks.

But here's the funniest part: I hadn't seen this BBT episode before I made my decision to use dice! I swear that Sheldon and I are linked. But what does the die have to say about that? Read how I created this system while I roll...

I have a 10-sided die and 20 films. Here's the list:

1. Lord of the Rings

2. Indiana Jones

3. Fast and Furious

4. Marvel

5. Harry Potter

6. Pirates

7. Star Wars

8. Back to the Future

9. Transformers

10. DC

11. Godfather

12. Tron

13. Underworld

14. Terminator

15. National Treasure

16. Toy Story

17. Matrix

18. Jurassic Park

19. Blockbuster Rental

20. Blockbuster Rental

I will first roll a 6-sided die to determine high or low (1-3 for low, 4-6 for high), then the 10-sided die for the series. Each evening, I can let the die decide if I choose another series or continue forward with that one.

Love an old television show but can't decide which one to watch? Grab a 10-sided die with numbers 0-9 and a second 10-side with 10-90 and you've got the episode number. A roll of 30 + 2= Episode 32, which in BBT terms is 32nd episode of the series titled "The Maternal Capacitance." To add more randomness, throw in a 6-sided die to determine how many episodes you'll watch before rolling for the specific ones. Awesome!!!

Well, I just rolled on my question, and the dice said that Sheldon and I are in fact linked. Thanks, Dice! Your're the best!!

Fast Five Steelbook (Best Buy Exclusive) Review

2011-12-19T09:27:00.000-08:00

I've always said it: give people an action film with a good story and characters we can give a darn about, and audiences will flock to it. Such is the case with Fast Five, a free-wheeling, high-octane, rollercoast ride from start to finish. The film, well-recieved by audiences for its quick wit, fast-paced action sequences, and its mix of new and returning characters, represents the most mature release of the FF franchise. It's almost like the kid who comes home from the first year of college: they're different now, with a heightened sense of themselves and the way the world works. FF needed to take that next step in order to grow beyond its fast-cars, fast-women concept. Fast Five leaves all the child behind, and the American steelbook release (as well as Target's offering) is one of the best of the year.

Video Quality - 5/5

To say this film presents well is an understatement. The transfer is excellent, boasting a 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer that is second to none. Every detail is on display, from the trees and colorful dilapidated buildings of Costa Rica, to the sweat on newcomer Wayne Johnson's face. Blacks are deep and whites do not smear into other colors. I really saw about as perfect a transfer as was possible.

Audio Quality - 5/5

The audio transfer is the best of the FF series, boasting a HD-DTS lossless 5.1 surround track that grunts, snorts, and roars at you like Dom's 1970 Dodge Charger. It's loud when it has to be, but dialogue is crisp throughout. Even on my less-than-perfect Denon, this is a thrill ride for the ears as well as the eyes. In no way does the audio disappoint.

Special Features - 5/5

As a fan of the series, I really appreciated the diverse amount of special features contained on the discs. You have the standard triple play available, with two versions of the film (the 130-minute theatrical and the 132-minute extended version) on the Blu-Ray. The DVD and digital copy are almost afterthoughts here, but I like the diversity of the digital media provided. All features on the Blu are in HD, which sends a definite message about Univeral's committment relative to FF. "Scene Explorer" is my favorite, taking the audience on a triple-pane investigation of the film's opening sequence. The release's breadth of content is extraordinary and appreciated. The steelbook case is also something to mention: granted, it's in the G1 format, but the silver steel is so pretty that it leaps off the shelf and demands you take notice of it. More practically, since I still have so many standard DVD's in my collection, its height still creates uniformity. I'm not like others who abhore the G1 cases with Blu-Ray product. This steel is fantastic.

Target also came out with a special edition of this film that contains all of the features listed above, plus the soundtrack; the case is more like a digibook fold-out than anything else, but is well made. I loved both products so much that I couldn't bring myself to return either one: they stand together like Dom and O'Connor at the film's end, overlooking the wreckage of a bank heist job well done.

Target's Offering (Left) and Best Buy's (Right)

Spine width is signficant but don't take your eyes off of the Steelbook either!

Overall - 5/5

If you're still able to nab either one of these versions, do so immediately. Fast Five is the best of the series, boasting a near-perfect digital transfer, exceptional audio, and a well-designed package and special features. From a Blu-Ray release, it's one of my top 10 films of the year; although some fans might take exception to it crtically, no one can argue about the quality product sitting on their shelf.

The Allure of Steelbooks

2011-12-15T21:20:00.000-08:00

Some men collect tools, others collect women (always a suspect endeavor), while still others pursue cars, all of which seem strangely and erotically connected.

But for the geek, collecting takes on a whole new form: from toys, movie memorabillia, tech, or some other strange fascination, the geek pursues all things off the radar.

Take for example my new fascination: blu-ray steelbooks. I've always appreciated the collectability of box sets, special releases, and gift sets. People who engage in this hobby obviously love film, and they appreciate unique packaging as well. Steelbooks make a splash, announcing to visitors that my love for film goes beyond that of the actual movie.

But collecting steelbooks also reminds me that Hollywood sometimes does right by its fans. They do respect on some level what consumers want, by creating an alternate, and therefore more desirable, product that gives us the complete experience of film, oftentimes growing beyond the disc it was intended to protect.

In short, steelbooks make a statement.