The Sly Fox Film Reviews

Kam's Kapsules for movies opening May 31, 2019

noreply@blogger.com (Kam) — Sat, 25 May 2019 20:38:00 +0000

Kam's Kapsules

Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun

by Kam Williams

For movies opening May 31, 2019

OPENING THIS WEEK

WIDE RELEASES

Godzilla: King of the Monsters (PG-13 for profanity, action, violence and destruction) Latest installment of the big lizard franchise finds members of the cryptozoological agency Monarch facing-off against a battery of god-sized monsters, including the mighty Godzilla. Cast includes Vera Farmiga, Millie Bobby Brown and Ken Watanabe.

Ma (R for violent and disturbing material, language throughout, sexual content, and for teen drug and alcohol use) Harrowing horror film revolving around a lonely woman with a secret agenda (Octavia Spenser) who lets an unsuspecting group of teens party at her house. Featuring Allison Janney, Juliette Lewis and Luke Evans.

Rocketman (R for sexuality, drug use and pervasive profanity) Taron Egerton portays Elton John in this warts-and-all biopic of the flamboyant rock star. Co-starring Jamie Bell, Richard Madden and Bryce Dallas Howard.

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

For the Birds (Unrated) Biopic about Kathy Murphy, a woman whose 200 pet ducks, chicken, geese and turkey are putting her at odds with her husband and animal activists.

Leaving Home, Coming Home (Unrated) Reverential portrait documentary of legendary portrait photographer Robert Frank, best known for “The Americans” (1958).

The Fall of The American Empire (R for strong violence, sexual nudity and profanity) Crime comedy about a truck driver (Éric Bruneau) who accidentally stumbles upon a stash of dirty cash. With Maxim Roy and Maripier Marin. (In French and English with subtitles)

Too Late to Die Young (Unrated) Chilean saga surrounding the events unfolding for three young neighbors one New Year's Eve. Co-starring Demian Hernández, Antar Machado and Magdalena Tótoro. (In Spanish with subtitles)

Echo in the Canyon

noreply@blogger.com (Kam) — Tue, 21 May 2019 20:27:00 +0000

Film Review by Kam Williams

Dawn of Hippie Era Revisited via Rock Music Retrospective

In the wake of Beatlemania exploding across America in 1964, many aspiring musicians were inspired to start their own rock band. Some settled in Laurel Canyon, a low-rent suburb of L.A that resonated with the hippy' philosophy.

Among those flocking to the region were future icons like Bob Dylan, Jackson Browne, Roger McGuinn, David Crosby, Graham Nash, Stephen Stills, Neil Young, Frank Zappa, Michelle Phillips and Cass Elliot. Some of these musicians forged great groups, like The Byrds, The Mamas and the Papas, and CSN&Y, while others became rock gods in their own right.

Now thanks to producer Lou Adler and Dylan's son Jakob, we have a sensational rockumentary revisiting that era. The film features both archival concert footage and interviews with most of the above. What a treat it is to see Ringo Starr reveal how close he and David Crosby were back in the day! And how about Dylan's discussing what it was like growing up in such a rich cultural environment? So, this makes for a magical walk down Memory Lane offering a fun ride for young and old alike.

The film's only flaw rests with performances by several next generation artists like Beck, Jade, and Jakob Dylan who prove to be talented, but inappropriate for a movie focused on that time period. Furthermore, Jakob serves as interviewer of his fellow celebs, a task for which he is woefully prepared.

Otherwise, what a wonderful trip to remind us all of a pivotal moment in U.S. history!

Very Good (3 stars)

Rated PG-13 for suggestive content and drug references

Running time: 82 minutes

Production Companies: Mirror Films

Distributor: Greenwich Entertainment

To see a trailer for Echo in the Canyon, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRVFBQHBUls

Kam's Kapsules for movies opening May 24, 2019

noreply@blogger.com (Kam) — Mon, 20 May 2019 13:47:00 +0000

Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun

by Kam William

OPENING THIS WEEK

WIDE RELEASES

Aladdin (PG for some action/peril) Mena Massoud stars as the title character in this classic fairytale about a street urchin vying with a power-hungry Grand Vizier for a magic lamp. Cast includes Naomi Scott, Will Smith and Billy Magnussen.

Booksmart (R for strong sexual content and language throughout, drug use and drinking, all involving teens) Buddy comedy about a couple of straight-laced, straight-A student BFF's (Kaitlyn Dever, Beanie Feldstein) who decide to cram four years of fun into one night on the eve of their high school graduation. Directed by Olivia Wilde, with Lisa Kudrow, Will Forte and Jason Sudeikis.

Brightburn (R for horror violence/bloody images, and language) Sinister thriller about an alien child (Jackson Dunn) who crash lands on Earth only to wreak havoc rather than help humanity. Cast includes Elizabeth Banks, David Denman and Matt Jones.

The Tomorrow Man (PG-13 for brief strong language and some suggestive material) John Lithgow stars in the title role as a doomsday prophet preparing for disaster with a girlfriend who is a hoarder (Blythe Danner). With Derek Cecil, Eve Harlow and Katie Aselton.

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

Diamantino (Unrated) Carloto Cotta plays the title role in this dysfunctional family comedy about a champion soccer player forced to confront his long-estranged, evil twin sisters (Cleo Tavares and Carla Maciel about the meaning of genius. With Chico Chapas, Margarida Moreira and Anabela Moreira.

Funny Story (Unrated) Sobering tragi-comedy about a loving father (Matthew Glave) who unintenionally disrupts his daughter's Big Sur vacation by inviting himself along. With Nikki Limo, Todd Berger and Jessica Diggins

Halston (Unrated) Reverential biopic about the fashion guru of the 70s who created a business empire by taking the biggest gamble of his life. With commentary by Liza Minelli, Marisa Berenson and Alva Chinn.

The Proposal (Unrated)biopic about the efffort to make the work of Mexico's greatest artist available to the public

For photo, visit: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6139732/mediaviewer/rm1875927552?ref_=tt_ov_i

Isn't it Romantic

noreply@blogger.com (Kam) — Tue, 14 May 2019 18:42:00 +0000

Film Review by Kam Williams

Rebel Wilson Headlines Disappointing Romantic Musical Comedy

Natalie (Rebel Wilson) is a dynamic, young professional trying to make her mark on Manhattan. But between a fledgling professional career and a dating life that isn't faring any better, the Australian architect is close to bottoming out.

It's a miracle her optimistic spirit hasn't been crushed, since she was raised by an emotionally-abusive mom (Jennifer Saunders) who said she'd never amount to anything.

She has nevertheless made a few friends since moving to the States, including BFF/colleague, Josh (Adam Devine), as well as hunky Blake (Liam Hemsorth), a billionaire who is one of her company's clients. And her buddies include a motley crew of colorful characters.

Anybody familiar with Rebel Wilson's work knows that she's committed to over-the-top fare as seen in her biggest hit, Picture Perfect. While this offering fails to measure up in terms of generating laughs per minute, it does at least recreate the ambiance of her typical farce.

The movie is directed by Todd Strauss-Schulson, a hack who has cranked out a string of mediocre comedies such as Larceny, Naked but Funny and Stevie TV. Not a picture this critic feels comfortable recommending to any demographic. Consider that a fair warning.

Fair (1 star)

Rated PG-13 for profanity, sexuality, and a brief drug reference

Running time: 88 minutes

Production Companies: Netflix / New Line Cinema

Distributor: Warner Brothers

To see a trailer for Isn't it Romantic, visit:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZwgoVmILQU

noreply@blogger.com (Kam) — Wed, 08 May 2019 23:53:00 +0000

Film Review by Kam Williams

Revealing Biopic Chronicles Formative Years Of Legendary Fantasy Writer

J.R.R. Tolkien (1892-1973) was a British fantasy novelist best known for “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings.” After being orphaned at an early age, he attended King Edwards, an exclusive boarding school where he forged close friendships with classmates which would endure over his lifetime.

There, he first referred to this semi-secret association of writers and artists as a “fellowship,” a term which ostensibly influenced the unique lexicon of his fictional work. He was also very sensitive about the pronunciation of his surname to the extent that he even complained about it to the school administration, emphasizing that it was “een” as opposed to “in.”

While at King Edwards, he met and fell head over heels for Edith Bratt (Lily Collins), an attractive classmate who would not only serve as his muse but as the inspiration for a couple of his characters. The lovebirds wed in 1916 but unfortunately their marital bliss would soon be interrupted by his deployment to France in World World I.

Unfortunately, the separation from his wife exacted a further emotional toll on the already traumatized Tolkien. Sadly, it spelled the demise of his confederacy of intellects, too.

Directed by Dome Karukoski, Tolkien is a poignant portrait which reveals its subject to be quite a complicated soul. The title role is capably played by Nicholas Hoult who delivers a piercingly evocative performance, probing the depths of the literary giant's psyche in plausible fashion.

The ethereal plotline drifts back and forth between the sobering and the surreal, unfolding against a war torn landscape of dire proportions. Childhood angst plus wartime trauma yields escapist fantasies for the ages.

Excellent (4 stars)

Rated PG-13 for war violence

Running time: 112 minutes

Production Companies: Fox Searchlight Pictures / Chernin Entertainment

Distributor: Fox Searchlight Pictures / Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

To see a trailer for Tolkien, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZ1vn85iQRE

Bolden

noreply@blogger.com (Kam) — Tue, 30 Apr 2019 09:23:00 +0000

Film Review by Kam Williams

Overdue Biopic Belatedly Pays Tribute to Jazz Pioneer

Buddy Bolden (1877-1931) was born in New Orleans, where he took up the cornet at an early age. His unique approach to the instrument involved a novel form of improvisation while playing a combination of gospel, blues and ragtime.

Well before the emergence of Louis Armstrong, Buddy was a popular bandleader credited with creating a new genre of music: jazz! Sadly, this genius has mostly been forgotten by history because no recordings or arrangements of his songs survived.

However, thanks to legendary trumpeter Wynton Marsalis in collaboration with writer/director Dan Pritzker, we now have Bolden, a brilliant biopic painting a poignant portrait of what Buddy's life might have been like. Marsalis composed, arranged and played on the soundtrack, relying on what scraps of his subject's work he could unearth.

Similarly, Pritzker cobbled together a speculative storyline based on the few facts available about Bolden. What we do know is that his career ended in 1907 when he was committed to the mental institution where he would spend the last of his days in obscurity.

Bolden is basically a flashback flick unfolding from the surreal perspective of a patient struggling to make sense of his life. The film stars Garry Carr who delivers a riveting performance as black man whose spirit has been broken by racism and a host of other maladies flowing from that oppression.

Don't miss this overdue tribute to a forgotten jazz pioneer!

Excellent (4 stars)

Rated R for sexuality, graphic nudity, profanity, ethnic slurs, brutal violence and drug use

Running time: 108 minutes

Production Companies: King Bolden LLC

Distributor: Abramorama

To see a trailer for Bolden, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80D1UrXqUsE

The Mustang

noreply@blogger.com (Kam) — Thu, 18 Apr 2019 08:58:00 +0000

Film Review by Kam Williams

Hardened Con Offered Shot at Redemption by Rough-Edged Horse Whisperer

Roman Coleman (Matthias Schoenaerts) has too quick a fuse to think before he acts. That's why he's done a dozen years and counting in a maximum-security prison for impulsively delivering a brutal beating that left his victim permanently brain-damaged.

Even while incarcerated, Roman's never learned to control his temper. Consequently, he's voluntarily spent the bulk of his time in solitary confinement.

A shot at rehabilitation finally arrives when Myles (Bruce Dern), a salty, old horse whisperer, offers Roman a spot in his program pairing inmates with wild mustangs. The hope is that each participant will learn to tame his own raging inner soul while bonding with his stallion.

Roman grudgingly accepts the invitation, before being assigned to work with a bucking bronco he names Marcus. Under the watchful eye of the sage trainer, con and colt do gradually take to each other, although not without its share of fits and starts.

Marking Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre's nonpareil directorial debut, The Mustang is a character-driven masterpiece co-starring Matthias Schoenaerts and Bruce Dern. The two generate considerable chemistry in the course of delivering powerful performances against a variety of visually-captivating backdrops, ranging from the vast expanse of a barren, Nevada desert to the claustrophobic confines of one of the State's penal institutions.

An emotionally-engaging meditation on redemption inspired by a real-life program helping inmates turn their lives around.

Excellent (4 stars)

Rated R for profanity, violence and drug use

Running time: 96 minutes

Production Companies: Legende Films / Cine+ / Canal+

Distributor: Focus Features

To see a trailer for The Mustang, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2a-KSOCIeY

Breakthrough

noreply@blogger.com (Kam) — Thu, 11 Apr 2019 15:41:00 +0000

Film Review by Kam Williams

Inspirational Memoir Recounts Teen's True Tale of Survival

Despite being saddled with a couple of generic American names, John Smith's (Marcel Ruiz) life story has been anything but boring. It's just too bad that the shy, 14 year-old has been too embarrassed to share it.

You see, he was born in Guatemala, but raised in Missouri by Brian (Josh Lucas) and Joyce Smith (Chrissy Metz), the missionary couple that adopted him as an infant. But even the terrific childhood they provided couldn't supply answers to nagging questions that still burdened the boy in junior high, like, “Why didn't his birth mom love him enough to keep him?” John was so traumatized that he gave his teacher a lame excuse the day he was supposed to make a class presentation about his family tree.

Luckily, he did have a couple of BFFs to hang out with in Josh (Isaac Kragten) and Reiger (Nikolas Dukic). However, the three could be a little rebellious, like on the afternoon of January 15, 2015 when they were warned by a stranger not to tempt fate by wandering out onto seemingly-frozen Lake St. Louis.

But they did, and fell through the ice, one after another. Rescue teams arrived soon enough to save two of the kids within minutes, but John had slipped so far beneath the surface that it took the extraordinary effort of one very determined fireman (Mike Colter) to belatedly find his body by poking around in the 12-foot deep waters with a stick.

John had no pulse, since he'd been submerged over 15 minutes. Yet, that didn't discourage first responders and then the ER physician on duty (Sam Trammell) at nearby St. Joseph's Hospital from trying repeatedly to revitalize him. Miraculously, John did come around after about an hour, which prompted an airlift to the top doctor in the field (Dennis Haysbert) in the St. Louis area.

Thus unfolds Breakthrough, a true tale of survival based on a moving memoir by Joyce Smith. Since each step of the unprecedented feat recounted here had been accompanied by prayer, the question triggered again and again was whether the operation had succeeded because of state-of-the-art medical care, divine intervention, or a combination of both.

An edge-of-your-seat, faith-oriented/medical drama, equally riveting in terms of spiritual and worldly concerns.

Excellent (3.5 stars)

Rated PG for peril and mature themes

Running time: 116 minutes

Production Companies: Fox 2000 Pictures / 20th Century Fox

Distributor: 20th Century Fox

To see a trailer for Breakthrough, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52bORzIODec

Hotel Mumbai

noreply@blogger.com (Kam) — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 11:06:00 +0000

Film Review by Kam Williams

Harrowing Docudrama Recounts 2008 Mumbai Massacre

On November 26, 2008, radical Islamists from Pakistan launched a series of coordinated attacks around the city of Mumbai which would claim 174 lives and leave hundreds more wounded. Within hours of the raid, the authorities were able to secure all of the sites except for the legendary Taj Mahal Palace Hotel.

The jihadists ostensibly picked the legendary 5-star resort as the location for a final showdown because of its image as a getaway spot for rich and famous Westerners. The siege there would last four days, since the local police were outgunned by the terrorists who were armed to the teeth with bombs, hand grenades and automatic weapons.

Directed by Anthony Maras, Hotel Mumbai is a harrowing docudrama which recreates the horrific events which transpired inside the Taj. In making his movie, the first-time filmmaker relied heavily on Mumbai Massacre, a 2009 documentary composed of survivors' recollections of their nightmares.

This fictionalized account, which changes names and conflates characters, primarily revolves around the ordeals of Arjun (Dev Patel) and David (Armie Hammer). The former is a selfless Sikh waiter who exhibits extraordinary heroism in an effort to save as many of the hotel's traumatized guests as possible. And the latter is a frazzled tourist desperate to reunite with his wife (Nazanin Boniadi), baby and nanny (Tilda Cobham-Hervey).

Besides these protagonists, the film features a profusion of simplistically-drawn supporting players, a la your typical disaster flick. There's the Russian playboy (Jason Isaacs), an elitist, world-class chef (Anupam Kher), a deferential butler (Alex Pinder), and so forth.

After the motley ensemble is introduced, the burning question left to be answered is which of these trapped victims will be able to remain undiscovered by the bloodthirsty assassins until the Special Forces Unit finally arrives from Delhi, some 800 miles away. For, the terrorist cell in control of the building is portrayed as religious zealots blinded by the prospect of paradise promised by The Bull (Pawan Singh), the operation's diabolical mastermind.

Yes, the hotel is ultimately retaken and order is restored. Nevertheless, the S.W.A.T. Team's belated triumph remains overshadowed by the sobering reality of so many lives senselessly lost. In sum, an uplifting tale of heroism and survival, as well as a haunting reminder of the evil that men do.

Excellent (4 stars)

Rated R for profanity, bloody images and pervasive violence

Running time: 123 minutes

Production Companies: Thunder Road Pictures / Xeitgeist Entertainment Group / Arclight Films Electric Pictures

Distributors: Bleecker Street

To see a trailer for Hotel Mumbai, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8IxhVslvro

Kam's Kapsules for movies opening March 29, 2019

noreply@blogger.com (Kam) — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 07:18:00 +0000

Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun

by Kam Williams

OPENING THIS WEEK

WIDE RELEASES

Dumbo (PG for peril, action, mature themes and mild epithets) Family-oriented fantasy about a baby elephant with big ears who's the laughingstock of the circus until it is discovered that he can fly. Co-starring Colin Farrell, Danny DeVito, Alan Arkin, Eva Green and Michael Keaton.

Hotel Mumbai (R for profanity, bloody images and pervasive violence) Fact-based drama recounting the 2008 terrorist attack at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel by radical Islamists which claimed 174 innocent lives. Co-starring Dev Patel, Armie Hammer, Amandeep Singh and Jason Isaacs. (In English, Hindi, Punjabi, Marathi, Greek, Russian, Arabic, Urdu and Persian with subtitles)

Unplanned (R for disturbing images) Adaptation of Abby Johnson's (Ashley Bratcher) memoir of the same name chronicling her transition from Planned Parenthood spokesperson to anti-abortion activist. With Brooks Ryan, Robia Scott and Jared Lotz.

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

The Beach Bum (R for pervasive profanity, graphic sexuality, and drug and alcohol abuse) Matthew McConaughey plays the title character in this screwball comedy revolving around the misadventures of a hedonistic rebel who lives by his own rules. With Snoop Dogg, Isla Fisher, Martin Lawrence, Jonah Hill and Zac Efron. (In English and Spanish with subtitles)

The Brink (Unrated) Political biopic examining the efforts of former Trump adviser Steve Bannon to mobilize right-wing voters. Featuring commentary by TV pundits David Frum, Michael Wolff and Ari Melber.

The Chaperone (Unrated) Elizabeth McGovern plays the title character in this adaptation of Laura Moriarty's best seller of the same name, set in the Roaring Twenties, about the woman who agreed to escort 15 year-old, aspiring film star Louise Brooks (Haley Lu Richardson) from Kansas to New York City. Cast includes Blythe Danner, Miranda Otto and Campbell Scott.

Diane (Unrated) Mary Kay Place stars in this poignant portrait of a selfless soul who divides her time between charity work and trying to save her drug-addicted son (Jake Lacy). With Estelle Parsons, Andrea Martin and Joyce Van Patten.

Lost & Found (Unrated) Serendipitous Irish dramedy inspired by the real-life encounters of seven strangers whose paths cross by chance at a rural train station's Lost & Found office. Starring writer/direct Liam O Mochain and a supporting cast featuring Norma Sheahan, Brendan Conroy, Seamus Hughes, Lynette Callaghan, Liam Carney, Barbara Adair and Aoibhin Garrihy.

Notebook (Unrated) Romance drama, set in Kashmir, about a soldier-turned-teacher (Zaheer Iqbal) who falls in love with a colleague (Pranutan Bahl) after reading a diary she left behind in a classroom. Featuring Muazzam Bhat. (In Hindi with subtitles)

A Vigilante (R for profanity and violence) Olivia Wilde handles the title role in this revenge thriller about a battered housewife who takes the law into her own hands on behalf of herself and other victims of domestic abuse. With Morgan Spector, Kyle Catlett, Tonye Patano and C.J. Wilson.

Unplanned

noreply@blogger.com (Kam) — Mon, 25 Mar 2019 09:13:00 +0000

Film Review by Kam Williams

Adaptation of Memoir Recounts Abortion Counselor's Spiritual Transformation

Abby Johnson (Ashley Bratcher) was recruited by Planned Parenthood to do volunteer work when she was still an undergrad at Texas A&M. Her first job was to escort women seeking abortions from the parking lot into the building, past picketers calling them baby killers.

Upon graduating from college, she was hired as a counselor at the controversial, reproductive health services provider's clinic in Bryan, Texas. Over the course of the next eight years, she rose up the ranks to office director, even though she was privately conflicted over whether the organization's primary function was to inform pregnant women about their options or merely to perform abortions.

After all, she not only came from a conservative, pro-life family, but felt overwhelming regret about the two abortions she had undergone herself earlier in life. So, between pressure from her parents and the almost daily confrontations with demonstrators, Abby's conscience began to get the better of her.

The moment of truth arrived the day her help was urgently needed in the operating room. And, for the first time in her career, she observed an actual abortion.

She was shocked by the gruesome procedure which left her convinced that the fetus was a baby. In fact, she felt so guilty that she decided to resign and join the pro-life protesters marching outside the building.

That is the touching transformation convincingly conveyed in Unplanned, a poignant, cinematic portrait co-directed by Chuck Konzelman and Cary Solomon. Unfortunately, abortion is such an incendiary issue, this is the sort of film audiences will be inclined to judge without seeing based on their political persuasion, although it's adapted from Abby Johnson's very personal memoir.

A riveting reminiscence recounting a Planned Parenthood exec's unlikely conversion to outspoken anti-abortion activist.

Very Good (3 stars)

Rated R for disturbing images

Running time: 110 minutes

Distributor: Pure Flix Entertainment

To see a trailer for Unplanned, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBLWpKbC3ww

Top Ten DVD List for March 26, 2019

noreply@blogger.com (Kam) — Sun, 24 Mar 2019 23:12:00 +0000

by Kam Williams

This Week's DVD Releases

If Beale Street Could Talk

https://www.amazon.com/Beale-Street-Could-Talk-Blu-ray/dp/6317613257/ref=tmm_blu_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1553466573&sr=1-3-catcorr

Stan & Ollie

https://www.amazon.com/Stan-Ollie-Blu-ray-Steve-Coogan/dp/6317632545/ref=tmm_blu_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1553467150&sr=1-2-catcorr

Capernaum

https://www.amazon.com/Capernaum-Blu-ray-Zain-Al-Rafeea/dp/B07NBPSN7F/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=Capernaum&qid=1553466878&s=movies-tv&sr=1-3-catcorr

Aquaman

https://www.amazon.com/Aquaman-BD-Blu-ray-Jason-Momoa/dp/B07GW2ZW5K/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Aquaman&qid=1553462443&s=gateway&sr=8-1

Isiboshwa

https://www.amazon.com/Isiboshwa-Innocent/dp/B07KLPTW75/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?keywords=Isiboshwa+dvd+indieflix&qid=1553463105&s=movies-tv&sr=1-1-fkmr0

The World before Your Feet

https://www.amazon.com/World-Before-Your-Feet-Green/dp/6317699534/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+world+before+your+feet+dvd&qid=1553463835&s=movies-tv&sr=1-1-catcorr

Brighton Beach Memoirs

https://www.amazon.com/Brighton-Memoirs-Blu-ray-Jonathan-Silverman/dp/B07L5ZD699/ref=tmm_blu_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1553464049&sr=1-2-catcorr

Second Act

https://www.amazon.com/Second-Act-Blu-ray-Jennifer-Lopez/dp/6317653305/ref=tmm_blu_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1553463498&sr=1-2

Hostage

https://www.amazon.com/Hostage-Pepsi-Mabizela/dp/B07KLPTW71/ref=sr_1_fkmr2_1?keywords=hostage+dvd+indieflix&qid=1553462748&s=movies-tv&sr=1-1-fkmr2

Rich Girl

https://www.amazon.com/Rich-Girl-Innocent/dp/B07KM1WMWG/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?keywords=Rich+Girl+dvd+indieflix&qid=1553462969&s=movies-tv&sr=1-2-fkmr0

Kam's Kapsules for movies opening March 22, 2019

noreply@blogger.com (Kam) — Sat, 23 Mar 2019 12:18:00 +0000

Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun

by Kam Williams

OPENING THIS WEEK

WIDE RELEASES

Us (R for violence, terror and profanity) Jordan Peele wrote and directed this suspense thriller, set in Santa Cruz, about a vacationing family that finds itself haunted by identical strangers. Co-starring Lupita Nyong'o, Winston Duke, Elisabeth Moss and Anna Diop.

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

Dragged across Concrete (R for profanity, sexuality, nudity, grisly images and graphic violence) Action thriller about a couple of cops (Mel Gibson and Vince Vaughn) who turn to a life of crime after being suspended without pay for police brutality caught on camera. With Don Johnson, Fred Melamed, Michael Jai White and Jennifer Carpenter.

El Chicano (Unrated) Crime saga, set in East L.A., about twins (Raul Castillo) who choose to live their lives on opposite sides of the law. Cast includes Jose Pablo Cantillo, Aimee Garcia and Marlene Forte.

Maze (Unrated) Historical drama, set in Northern Ireland in 1983, recreating the infamous jailbreak of 38 IRA members from a maximum security prison. Ensemble cast includes Barry Ward, Martin McCann, Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, Eileen Walsh and Aaron Monaghan.

Ramen Shop (Unrated) Coming-of-age drama revolving around a grief-stricken young chef (Takumi Saitoh) who travels from Japan to Singapore in search of his late parents' recipes only to also uncover some deep family secrets. With Seiko Matsuda, Jeanette Aw and Tsuyoshi Ihara. (In Japanese, Mandarin and English with subtitles)

Sunset (R for violence) Character-driven drama, set in 1913, about a young woman (Juli Jakab) who ventures to Budapest hoping to secure a job at the hat store once owned by her late parents, only to be turned away by the shop's new owner (Vlad Ivanov). Cast includes Susanne Wuest, Bjorn Freiberg and Urs Rechn. (In Hungarian and German with subtitles)

Trading Paint (R for profanity) Action adventure about a legendary father (John Travolta) and son (Toby Sebastian) car racing team who end up facing each other in a high-stakes contest following a falling out. With Shania Twain, Michael Madsen and Kevin Dunn.

Triple Threat (R for profanity and pervasive graphic violence) Action thriller about three down-and-out mercenaries (Tony Jaa, Iko Uwais and Tiger Chen) recruited to protect a billionaire heiress (Celina Jade) from a team of professional assassins (Scott Adkins, Michael Jai White and Michael Bisping) hired to take her out. Supporting cast includes Michael Wong, Daniel Whyte and Selina Lo. (In English, Mandarin and Thai with subtitles)

Yardie

noreply@blogger.com (Kam) — Thu, 21 Mar 2019 04:42:00 +0000

Film Review by Kam Williams

Elba Makes Directorial Debut with Jamaican Coming-of-Age Drama

Dennis “D” Campbell (Aml Ameen) had the misfortune of growing up in the slums of Kingston, Jamaica in the Seventies at a time when the 'hood was infested with drugs. Orphaned at an early age, he was raised by an older brother he admired, Jerry (Everaldo Creary).

Besides serving as a surrogate father, Jerry was a peacemaker who risked his life pressuring the gangs ruining the community to end their bloody turf war. But Dennis was left traumatized at 13 when his sibling was senselessly shot dead by Clancy (Raheem Edwards), a young member of the Tappa crew.

Fast forward a half-dozen years and we find D doing the bidding of King Fox (Sheldon Shepherd), the leader of Spicer, Tappa's rival gang. When he is asked to smuggle a kilo of cocaine on a plane bound for London, he leaps at the opportunity because not only does Clancy live there now, but so too does Dennis' daughter (Myla-Rae Hutchinson-Dunwell). So, the risky assignment will afford him an opportunity to avenge his brother's murder while reuniting with loved ones.

That is the intriguing set up of Yardie, a coming-of-age drama marking the noteworthy directorial debut of Idris Elba. Adapted from Victor Headley's 1992 novel of the same name, the film is narrated by its intrepid protagonist, a conflicted soul eternally torn between good and evil.

A gritty tale of survival slightly marred by a tendency to telegraph its punches.

Very Good (3 stars)

Unrated

Running time: 101 minutes

Production Companies: Warp Films / BFI Film Fund / Studio Canal

Distributor: Rialto Pictures

To see a trailer for Yardie, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qItW6evHbE8

Top Ten DVD List for March 19, 2019

noreply@blogger.com (Kam) — Sun, 17 Mar 2019 19:23:00 +0000

by Kam Williams

This Week's DVD Releases

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

https://www.amazon.com/Spider-Man-Spider-Verse-Blu-ray-Bob-Persichetti/dp/6317632464/ref=tmm_blu_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1552757060&sr=8-2

Mary Poppins Returns

https://www.amazon.com/POPPINS-RETURNS-Blu-ray-Emily-Blunt/dp/6317597642/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=Mary+Poppins+Returns&qid=1552759394&s=movies-tv&sr=1-6-catcorr

The Last Resort

https://www.amazon.com/Last-Resort-Edna-Buchanan/dp/631769950X/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+last+resort+dvd&qid=1552757486&s=gateway&sr=8-1

The Rundown

https://www.amazon.com/Rundown-Blu-ray-Dwayne-Johnson/dp/6317632812/ref=tmm_blu_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1552757627&sr=8-1-spons

PawParazzi

https://www.amazon.com/Pawparazzi-Sara-Fletcher/dp/B07MHQ2W6G/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?keywords=pawparazzi+dvd&qid=1552758033&s=gateway&sr=8-1-fkmrnull

Accident

https://www.amazon.com/The-Accident/dp/B07PKP87LY/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=Accident+dvd&qid=1552758419&s=gateway&sr=8-5

The Quake

https://www.amazon.com/Quake-Kristoffer-Joner/dp/B07KZ4H82K/ref=tmm_dvd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1552759557&sr=1-3-catcorr

She Wolf

https://www.amazon.com/She-Wolf-M%C3%B3nica-Lairana/dp/B07MWQ9CRZ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=She+Wolf+dvd&qid=1552758153&s=gateway&sr=8-1

Ritual

https://www.amazon.com/Ritual-Psychomagic-Story-D%C3%A9sir%C3%A9e-Giorgetti/dp/B07N3PVH6W/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?keywords=Ritual+omnibus+entertainment&qid=1552759212&s=movies-tv&sr=1-1-fkmrnull

Big Kill

https://www.amazon.com/Big-Kill-Blu-ray-Christoph-Sanders/dp/B07LG1CBHS/ref=sr_1_3?crid=20B9LCUSVFSOL&keywords=big+kill+blu+ray&qid=1552759693&s=movies-tv&sprefix=Big+Kill%2Cmovies-tv%2C237&sr=1-3-catcorr

Five Feet Apart

noreply@blogger.com (Kam) — Thu, 14 Mar 2019 20:52:00 +0000

Film Review by Kam Williams

Romance Drama Revolves around Forbidden Love between Hospitalized Teens

Stella Grant (Haley Lu Richardson) is a typical 17 year-old in most regards. However, she is also suffering from Cystic Fibrosis (CF), a genetic disease which makes her very susceptible to a variety of breathing disorders.

Consequently, she spends much of her time in the hospital receiving a “tune up” for this or that malady. She's currently receiving treatment for bronchitis on a ward with several fellow CF patients, including her gay BFF, Poe (Moises Arias), although there is a strictly-enforced rule that they stay at least six feet apart at all times, because they could easily infect each other.

That regulation is put to the test upon the arrival of newcomer Will Newman (Cole Sprouse), a CF victim with a bacteria which would prove fatal should Stella catch it from him. For, the two kids fall in love at first sight, so they find it hard to resist their raging hormones' urge to merge.

Luckily, nurse Barb (Kimberly Hebert Gregory) is there to monitor the movements of the young patients. She has been particularly vigilant to prevent any rendezvous on her watch, ever since an incident that led to a tragic ending.

Thus unfolds Five Feet Apart, a bittersweet romance drama marking the noteworthy, feature film directorial debut of actor Justin Baldoni (Jane the Virgin). Baldoni deserves considerable credit for coaxing impressive performances out of Haley Lu Richardson and Cole Sprouse who manage to generate convincing chemistry in challenging roles where they can't touch each other.

The movie's sole flaw rests in its unnecessarily adding a melodramatic twist more appropriate for a soap opera. During the picture's climactic moment, we suddenly learn that Stella's prayers for a lung transplant might have miraculously just been answered. A distracting rabbit-out-the-hat development that almost ruins an otherwise poignant love story.

Very Good (3 stars)

Rated PG-13 for profanity, mature themes and suggestive material

Running time: 116 minutes

Production Companies: CBS Films / Wayfarer Entertainment

Distributors: CBS Films / Lionsgate

To see a trailer for Five Feet Apart, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtgCqMZofqM

Kam's Kapsules for movies opening March 15, 2019

noreply@blogger.com (Kam) — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 21:54:00 +0000

Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun

by Kam Williams

OPENING THIS WEEK

WIDE RELEASES

Captive State (PG-13 for action, violence, sexuality, brief profanity and drug use) Sci-fi thriller unfolding in a Chicago neighborhood about a decade after it was occupied by an extraterrestrial force. Co-starring John Goodman, Vera Farmiga, KiKi Layne, Alan Ruck and Machine Gun Kelly.

Five Feet Apart (PG-13 for profanity, mature themes and suggestive material) Romance drama about a couple of teenagers with Cystic Fibrosis (Haley Lu Richardson and Cole Sprouse) who fall in love while been treated in a hospital. With Moises Arias, Parminder Nagra and Claire Forlani.

Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase (PG for peril, mild epithets, mature themes and suggestive material) Sophia Lillis stars in the title role in this adaptation of the second novel in Carolyn Keene's classic mystery series which finds the teen sleuth teaming with her BFFs (Zoe Renee and Mackenzie Graham) to solve a case of paranormal activity in a haunted house. Supporting cast includes Linda Lavin, Laura Wiggins, Andrea Anders and Sam Trammell.

Wonder Park (PG for action and mature themes) Animated fantasy about a motherless 10 year-old (Brianna Denski) who discovers that the magical amusement park she's been imagining really exists in the forest outside of her math camp. Voice cast includes Jennifer Garner, Matthew Broderick, Kenan Thompson, John Oliver and Dr. Ken Jeong.

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

The Aftermath (R for sexuality, nudity, violence and some disturbing images) Adaptation of Rhidian Brook's best seller of the same name, set in the ruins of Hamburg in 1946, chronicling the tensions which arise when a German widower (Alexander Skarsgard) with a troubled daughter (Flora Thiemann) is forced to surrender his mansion to the British colonel (Jason Clarke) in charge of rebuilding the city. With Keira Knightley, Fionn O'Shea and Kate Phillips. (In English and Russian with subtitles)

Faith, Hope & Love (PG for mature themes) Faith-based romantic comedy about a recent divorcee' (Peta Murgatroyd) and a grieving widower (Robert Krantz) who both get a second chance at love after they meet and enter a dance contest as partners. Supporting cast includes Michael “Kramer” Richards, Corbin Bernsen, Ed Asner and M. Emmet Walsh.

Finding Steve McQueen (R for sexual references and pervasive profanity) Crime thriller, set in 1972, about a motley gang of thieves' attempt to steal $30 million from Richard Nixon's slush fund of illegal campaign contributions. Co-starring Travis Fimmel, Forest Whitaker, Rachael Taylor, William Fichtner and Rhys Coiro.

The Hummingbird Project (R for pervasive profanity) Finance drama about a couple of cousins (Jesse Eisenberg and Alexander Skarsgard) who hatch a plan to make millions high-frequency trading by constructing their own fiber optic cable running from Kansas City to New Jersey. Featuring Salma Hayek, Michael Mando and Ayisha Issa.

The Mustang (R for profanity, violence and drug use) Rehabilitation drama about a convicted felon (Matthias Schoenaerts) who is given a shot at redemption when he is placed in a horse training program run by a no-nonsense vet (Bruce Dern). With Jason Mitchell, Connie Britton and Josh Stewart.

Yardie (Unrated) Idris Elba makes his directorial debut with this adaptation of Victor Headley's crime caper of the same name, set in the Seventies, about a young Jamaican (Aml Ameen) hired by a local drug kingpin (Sheldon Shepherd) to smuggle a shipment of cocaine to a British gangster (Stephen Graham) located in London. With Shantol Jackson, Fraser James and Akin Gazi.

Kam's Kapsules for movies opening March 8, 2019

noreply@blogger.com (Kam) — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 21:50:00 +0000

Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun

by Kam Williams

OPENING THIS WEEK

WIDE RELEASES

Captain Marvel (PG-13 for action, violence and brief suggestive language) 21^st installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe stars Brie Larson in the title role as a former fighter pilot turned superhero who finds herself at the center of the maelstrom when a galactic conflict erupts on Earth between two alien races. Cast includes Samuel L. Jackson, Gemma Chan, Annette Bening and Djimon Hounson.

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

An Elephant Sitting Still (Unrated) The late Hu Bo wrote and directed this adaptation of his short story chronicling the serendipitous series of events inspiring four strangers (Yu Zhang, Yuchang Peng, Uvin Wang and Congxi Li) to board a bus for a long-distance trip to the city of Manzhouli's zoo to see a mythical, motionless elephant ostensibly oblivious to the outside world. With Jing Guo, Wei Kong and Xiang Rong Dong. (In Mandarin with subtitles)

Boy Band (Unrated) Musical comedy chronicling the reunion of the members of the Heartthrob Boyz a celebrated singing group trying to mount a comeback a couple of decades after their last hit. Co-starring Jerry O'Connell, Gilbert Gottfried, Steve Agee, Seth Herzog and Jordan Carlos.

Ferrante Fever (Unrated) Reverential biopic about Italian author Elena Ferrante, whose “Neapolitan Novels” sold 10 million copies across 50+ countries, leading her to be named one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World by Time Magazine. Featuring commentary by Hillary Clinton, Jonathan Franzen and Roberto Saviano. (In French, English and Italian with subtitles)

Gloria Bell (R for sexuality, nudity, profanity and drug use) Julianne Moore star as the title character in this romance drama as a free-spirited divorcee who unexpectedly finds a new love (John Turturro) at an L.A. nightclub. Ensemble cast includes Michael Cera, Rita Wilson, Sean Astin, Brad Garrett and Jeanne Tripplehorn.

I'm Not Here (Unrated) Suspense thriller about a man (J.K. Simmons) haunted by his past who reflects about a specific event in his life to try to understand how he ended up alone. Support cast includes Sebastian Stan, Maika Monroe and Mandy Moore.

The Kid (R for profanity and violence) Fact-based Western about a young boy (Jake Schur) who witnessed the historic showdown between Sheriff Pat Garrett (Ethan Hawke) and the infamous outlaw, Billy the Kid (Dane DeHaan). With Vincent D'Onofrio, Leila George and Adam Baldwin.

The Sex Trip (Unrated) Supernatural comedy about a shallow womanizer (Marc Crumpton) who finds himself magically transformed into a woman (Jade Ramsey) after rejecting a witch's (Eve Sigall) request for a kiss. With Louis Mandylor, Jim Hanks (Tom's brother) and Rebecca Grant.

Kam's Kapsules for movies opening March 1, 2019

noreply@blogger.com (Kam) — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 21:47:00 +0000

Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun

by Kam Williams

OPENING THIS WEEK

WIDE RELEASES

Greta (R for violence and disturbing images) Suspense thriller, set in NYC, about a naive young woman (Chloe Grace Moretz) who unwittingly befriends a widow with an evil agenda (Isabelle Huppert) whose pocketbook she found on the subway. With Maika Monroe, Colm Feore and Stephen Rea.

A Madea Family Funeral (PG-13 for profanity, crude sexuality and pervasive drug use) Tyler Perry's back in drag as a sassy granny for this raucous comedy set in rural Georgia where a joyous family reunion is unexpectedly marred by tragedy. Co-starring Cassi Davis, Patrice Lovely and Mike Tyson.

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

Apollo 11 (Unrated) IMAX documentary revisiting NASA's historic 1969 mission, the first spaceflight to land on the moon. Featuring archival footage of astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins.

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (Unrated) Chiwetel Ejiofor makes his directorial debut with this adaptation of Malawi's William Kamkwamba's memoir about saving his village from famine at the age of 13 by building a wind turbine. Cast includes Ejiofor, Maxwell Simba, Lily Banda and Aissa Maiga.

Climax (R for disturbing content including profanity, graphic nudity and sexuality, drug use and violence) Horror musical set at at an abandoned boarding school where a dance troupe's party is sabotaged by a bowl of sangria laced with LSD. Ensemble cast includes Sofia Boutella, Romain Guillermic, Kiddy Smile, Giselle Palmer and Taylor Castle. (In French and English with subtitles)

Furie (Unrated) Action thriller about an ex-assassin (Veronica Ngo) who comes out of retirement to rescue her young daughter kidnapped by a sex-trafficking ring. With Hoa Tran, Mai Cat Vi and Thanh Nhien Phan. (In Vietnamese with subtitles)

Saint Judy (Unrated) Michelle Monaghan portrays the title character in this reverential biopic about immigration attorney Judy Wood who has single-handedly saved the lives of thousands of female refugees by successfully lobbying for changes in the United States' asylum laws. Supporting cast includes Common, Mykelti Williamson, Alfred Molina and Alfre Woodard.

Styx (Unrated) Seafaring thriller about a German ER physician (Susanne Wolff) sailing solo on the Atlantic Ocean who diverts her boat to come to the aid of 100 shipwrecked refugees. With Alexander Beyer, Inga Birkenfeld and Gedion Oduor Wekesa. (In English and German with subtitles)

Transit (Unrated) Adaptation of Anna Segher's novel of the same name, set in Marseilles, about a German refugee (Franz Rogowski) who falls in love with the widow (Paula Beer) of the recently-deceased writer whose identity he's assumed. Cast includes Godehard Giese, Lilien Batman and Maryam Zaree. (In German, French and sign language)

The Wedding Guest (R for profanity, violence and brief nudity) Dev Patel plays the title character in this suspense thriller about a shadowy figure who travels from England to Pakistan to kidnap a Muslim bride-to-be (Radhike Apte). With Jim Sarbh, Harish Khanna and Nish Nathwani.

Top Ten DVD List for March 12, 2019

noreply@blogger.com (Kam) — Sun, 10 Mar 2019 18:36:00 +0000

by Kam Williams

This Week's DVD Releases

Green Book

https://www.amazon.com/Green-Book-Blu-ray-Viggo-Mortensen/dp/B07KBRYZJL/ref=tmm_blu_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1552239542&sr=8-1-spons

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald

https://www.amazon.com/Fantastic-Beasts-Grindelwald-Blu-ray-Digital/dp/B07GW2RHQD/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Fantastic+Beasts%3A+The+Crimes+of+Grindelwald&qid=1552240345&s=movies-tv&sr=1-1-catcorr

Over the Limit

https://www.amazon.com/Over-Limit-Margarita-Mamun/dp/B07MWVBX2S/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=Over+the+Limit+dvd&qid=1552241455&s=movies-tv&sr=1-3-catcorr

Chef Flynn

https://www.amazon.com/Chef-Flynn-McGarry/dp/6317699542/ref=sr_1_1?crid=B07A8Z3QJPI0&keywords=chef+flynn+dvd&qid=1552241302&s=movies-tv&sprefix=Chef+Flynn%2Cmovies-tv%2C433&sr=1-1-catcorr

Marquise

https://www.amazon.com/Marquise-Sophie-Marceau/dp/B07MX29X1C/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Marquise+dvd&qid=1552241597&s=movies-tv&sr=1-1

The Simple Heist [Series 1]

https://www.amazon.com/Simple-Heist-1-Sissela-Kyle/dp/B07KZHVH7P/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?keywords=The+Simple+Heist+%5BSeries+1%5D&qid=1552239698&s=gateway&sr=8-1-fkmrnull

Nightflyers [Season One]

https://www.amazon.com/Nightflyers-Blu-ray-Jodie-Turner-Smith/dp/B07K138YX8/ref=tmm_blu_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1552239873&sr=8-1-fkmrnull

Someone to Watch over Me

https://www.amazon.com/Someone-Watch-Over-Me-Blu-ray/dp/B07KZ4MPCH/ref=tmm_blu_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1552240751&sr=1-3-catcorr

Neighbors

https://www.amazon.com/Neighbors-Retro-Blu-ray-John-Beluchi/dp/631763260X/ref=sr_1_3?crid=9APSN4S6K7WL&keywords=neighbors+blu+ray&qid=1552241064&s=movies-tv&sprefix=Neighbors%2Cmovies-tv%2C268&sr=1-3

Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

https://www.amazon.com/Rise-Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles/dp/B07KZK9Y91/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Rise+of+the+Teenage+Mutant+Ninja+Turtles+dvd&qid=1552241855&s=movies-tv&sr=1-1

Honorable Mention

Mortal Engines

https://www.amazon.com/Mortal-Engines-Blu-ray-Hugo-Weaving/dp/6317640165/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=Mortal+Engines&qid=1552240594&s=movies-tv&sr=1-3-catcorr

Piercing

https://www.amazon.com/Piercing-Blu-ray-Christopher-Abbott/dp/B07MF43VYK/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=Piercing&qid=1552240177&s=movies-tv&sr=1-3

Top Ten DVD List for March 5, 2019

noreply@blogger.com (Kam) — Mon, 04 Mar 2019 19:04:00 +0000

by Kam Williams

This Week's DVD Releases

Creed II

https://www.amazon.com/Creed-II-Blu-ray-Irwin-Winkler/dp/B07J3B94QY/ref=sr_1_2?crid=34ZUGWP0BGTGD&keywords=creed+ii+blu-ray&qid=1551716070&s=movies-tv&sprefix=Creed+II%2Cmovies-tv%2C348&sr=1-2

Instant Family

https://www.amazon.com/Instant-Family-Blu-ray-Mark-Wahlberg/dp/6317591385/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=Instant+Family&qid=1551715721&s=gateway&sr=8-3

No Tell Motel [8 Movie Collection]

https://www.amazon.com/No-Tell-Motel-Check-Digital/dp/631763274X/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1_sspa?keywords=No+Tell+Motel+[8+Movie+Collection]&qid=1551724251&s=gateway&sr=8-1-fkmrnull-spons&psc=1

Burning

https://www.amazon.com/Burning-Blu-ray-Combo-Steven-Yuen/dp/B07HQ7HVQ8/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1GG4LKLWRQT53&keywords=burning+blu+ray&qid=1551718429&s=movies-tv&sprefix=Burning+blu%2Cmovies-tv%2C155&sr=1-2

The House

https://www.amazon.com/House-Sondre-Krogtoft-Larsen/dp/B07M78SZ8T/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?keywords=the+house+dvd+artsploitation&qid=1551722500&s=gateway&sr=8-1-fkmrnull

Kalifornia

https://www.amazon.com/Kalifornia-Collectors-Blu-ray-Brad-Pitt/dp/B07KZ5NT5V/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?keywords=Kalifornia+dvd+shout&qid=1551723057&s=gateway&sr=8-1-fkmr0

The Brokenwood Mysteries: Series 5

https://www.amazon.com/Brokenwood-Mysteries-5-Fern-Sutherland/dp/B07KZ36DJQ/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=The+Brokenwood+Mysteries%3A+Series+5&qid=1551723463&s=gateway&sr=8-3

Damages [The Complete Series]

https://www.amazon.com/Damages-Complete/dp/B00DJYJT5Q/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2K2U08O981BRY&keywords=damages+complete+series+dvd&qid=1551724531&s=gateway&sprefix=Damages+[The+Complete+Series]%2Caps%2C638&sr=8-3

100 Yards

https://www.amazon.com/100-Yards-Sean-Patrick-Flanery/dp/B07KZ36DJS/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=100+Yards+dvd&qid=1551715313&s=gateway&sr=8-1

Do It Yourself

https://www.amazon.com/Do-Yourself-Konstadinos-Aspiotis/dp/B07M6RVZ5X/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Do+It+Yourself+dvd&qid=1551715845&s=movies-tv&sr=1-1

Honorable Mention

Top Wing: Eggcellent Missions

https://www.amazon.com/Top-Wing-Eggcellent-Missions/dp/B07KZGKRYX/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?keywords=Top+Wing%3A+Eggcellent+Missions+dvd&qid=1551715626&s=gateway&sr=8-1-fkmrnull

Barb Wire

https://www.amazon.com/Barb-Wire-Blu-ray-Pamela-Anderson/dp/6317632561/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1_sspa?crid=3ERCGASBBP320&keywords=barb+wire+blu+ray&qid=1551723865&s=gateway&sprefix=Barb+Wire%2Caps%2C394&sr=8-1-fkmrnull-spons&psc=1

Nick Jr: Meet the Baby Animals

https://www.amazon.com/Nick-Jr-Meet-Baby-Animals/dp/B07KZ3BWKT/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_3?keywords=Nick+Jr%3A+Meet+the+Baby+Animals+dvd&qid=1551715498&s=gateway&sr=8-3-fkmrnull

Falling in Love Again

https://www.amazon.com/Falling-Love-Again-Terrell-Carter/dp/B07KZHV8QB/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?crid=1EUDMSLZVDZTI&keywords=falling+in+love+again+dvd&qid=1551714989&s=gateway&sprefix=Falling+in+Love+Again%2Caps%2C254&sr=8-1-fkmrnull

The Standoff at Sparrow Creek

https://www.amazon.com/Standoff-Sparrow-Creek-Blu-ray/dp/B07KZHLDG3/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_2?keywords=The+Standoff+at+Sparrow+Creek+blu-ray&qid=1551716263&s=movies-tv&sr=1-2-fkmrnull

The Favourite

noreply@blogger.com (Kam) — Mon, 04 Mar 2019 15:31:00 +0000

Film Review by Kam Williams

Olivia Colman Delivers Oscar-Winning Performance in Revisionist Costume Drama

Queen Anne (1665-1714) was a sickly monarch whose dozen-year reign ran from 1702 to 1714. She was also married to Prince George of Denmark from 1683 until he passed away at Kensington Palace in 1708.

Although Anne was unable to produce an heir, it wasn't from a lack of trying. She was pregnant 17 times, but most of her babies either miscarried or were stillborn, and the handful carried to term died during infancy. The Queen coped with the loss by raising 17 pet rabbits, one for each offspring, a curious way to grieve, indeed.

Until now, Anne and George have been generally remembered as having been faithful and devoted partners. But you can add The Favourite to the long list of revisionist sagas which deign to impose present-day values while ignoring long-standing, conventional wisdom.

So, a British history buff is more likely to be frustrated by The Favourite than your average fan of the costume drama genre. The carefully-constructed crowd-pleaser was nominated for ten Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director (Yorgos Lanthimos) and Best Original Screenplay.

The three female leads in this lesbian love triangle were nominated, too, although Olivia Colman landed the movie's sole Oscar for her memorable performance as domineering Queen Anne. Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone co-star opposite Colman, as a duchess and a servant vying for the manipulative monarch's affections.

At the point of departure, we find Lady Sarah (Weisz) already attending to every need of an obese queen crippled by gout. The two are also secretly conducting a passionate, forbidden affair.

But when Abigail (Stone) arrives on the scene, Anne's head is turned by the attractive young maid. A subtle power struggle ensues, as each of the subjects does her best to become the queen's constant companion. Meanwhile, Anne's real-life hubby, George, is conveniently absent entirely from the tale.

A fabricated romantic romp for folks more concerned about a historical drama's entertainment value than its commitment to the facts.

Excellent (4 stars)

Rated R for profanity, nudity and graphic sexuality

Running time: 119 minutes

Production Companies: Element Pictures / Scarlet Films / Film4 Productions / Waypoint Entertainment

Distributor: Fox Searchlight Pictures

To see a trailer for The Favourite, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYb-wkehT1g

Oscar Recap

noreply@blogger.com (Kam) — Mon, 25 Feb 2019 18:08:00 +0000

by Kam Williams

Green Book Is the Surprise Best Picture Winner

Olivia Colman Upsets Glenn Close for Best Actress

Green Book upset Roma to take home the Academy Award for Best Picture on an historic night featuring a record number of wins for black-themed films. Green Book also won in the Supporting Actor (Mahershala Ali) and Original Screenplay categories.

Meanwhile, Spike Lee landed the Oscar for Adapted Screenplay for BlacKkKlansman, and Regina King garnered the Supporting Actress award for inspired performance in If Beale Street Could Talk. And Peter Ramsey won for co-directing the Best Animated Feature, Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse.

Black Panther prevailed in a trio of categories: Original Score, Costume Design and Production Design. In the process, Ruth E. Carter made history as the first African-American female to win for Costume Design, and Hannah Beachler did so, too, as the first African-American to win for Production Design.

The festivities flowed smoothly despite the absence of an emcee, and the show was about an hour shorter than usual. The emphasis on diversity was pretty obvious, with white presenters being outnumbered by black, Latino and Asians.

After jumping into the arms of Samuel L. Jackson on his way to the podium, a euphoric Spike Lee delivered a politically-tinged acceptance speech in which he appealed to folks to vote in the 2020 election. Although Spike never referred to Trump by name, the president subsequently saw fit to tweet about the Oscar-winner's supposedly “racist hit” against him.

As far as my Oscar picks, I only got half right, my worst showing ever.

Complete List of Academy Award Winners

Best Picture: Green Book
Best Director: Alfonso Cuaron (Roma)
Best Actress: Olivia Colman (The Favourite)
Best Actor: Rami Malek (Bohemian Rhapsody)
Best Supporting Actress: Regina King (If Beale Street Could Talk)
Best Supporting Actor: Mahershala Ali (Green Book)
Best Foreign Film: Roma
Best Animated Feature Film: Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse
Best Original Screenplay: Green Book
Best Adapted Screenplay: BlacKkKlansman
Best Original Score: Black Panther
Best Original Song: Shallow (A Star Is Born)
Best Documentary Feature: Free Solo
Best Documentary Short: Period. End Of Sentence
Best Live Action Short: Skin
Best Animated Short: Bao
Best Cinematography: Roma
Best Production Design: Black Panther
Best Costume Design: Black Panther
Best Hair And Makeup: Vice
Best Sound Editing: Bohemian Rhapsody
Best Sound Mixing: Bohemian Rhapsody
Best Visual Effects: First Man
Best Editing: Bohemian Rhapsody

Roma

noreply@blogger.com (Kam) — Sun, 24 Feb 2019 21:18:00 +0000

Film Review by Kam Williams

Devoted Nanny Dotes on Kids in Dysfunctional Family Drama

Cleo Gutierrez (Yalitza Aparicio) is one of two live-in maids maintaining the home of Antonio (Fernando Grediaga) and Sofia (Marina de Tavira), couple in crisis with four young children. They can afford the help, which includes a chauffeur, because he's a prominent physician. But they also need the staff, since Antonio spends so much time supposedly attending “conferences in Canada.”

The delinquent dad explains his absence to the kids as being away on business. However his long-suffering wife suspects that he's just up to monkey business with his mistress, which explains why she's not above begging him to cancel a trip. Luckily, Sofia has a shoulder to cry on in her mother, Teresa (Veronica Garcia), who lives with them, too.

Meanwhile, Cleo and her fellow nanny, Adela (Nancy Garcia), dutifully assume the bulk of the child-rearing and housekeeping duties. Both of these servants hail from humble roots, being uneducated peasants of Mixteco, native Mexican heritage.

Yet, like typical young women, they do dream of someday escaping their lowly station to start families of their own. And each has a romantic interest. Cleo's is Fermin (Jorge Antonio Guerrero), a cousin of Adela's boyfriend, Ramon (Jose Manuel Guerrero Mendoza).

The plot thickens the evening the two couples go on a double date to a movie theater. Against her better judgment, Cleo leaves early with Fermin who has reserved a motel room where they share an evening of passionate, unprotected sex.

She ends up pregnant, and a moment of truth arrives when her baby-daddy reacts badly to the news that he's about to become a father. So, now she has to worry whether she'll be fired when she tells Sofia that she's knocked up.

Thus unfolds Roma, a semi-autobiographical, dysfunctional family drama written and directed by Alfonso Cuaron. Set in Mexico City in the Seventies, this impressionistic saga shot in black & white more than makes up in atmosphere what it might lack in meaningful dialogue.

Kudos to Cuaron for crafting such a visually-captivating, surreal memoir of his troubled coming of age!

Excellent (4 stars)

Rated R for profanity, disturbing images and graphic nudity

In Spanish and Mixtec with subtitles.

Running time: 135 minutes

Production Companies: Esperanto Filmoj / Participant Media

Distributor: Netflix

To see a trailer for Roma, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BS27ngZtxg

Top Ten DVD List for February 26, 2019

noreply@blogger.com (Kam) — Sat, 23 Feb 2019 17:04:00 +0000

by Kam Williams

This Week's DVD Releases

Ralph Breaks the Internet

https://www.amazon.com/RALPH-BREAKS-INTERNET-Blu-ray-Silverman/dp/6317578931/ref=tmm_blu_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1550939128&sr=1-2-catcorr

Border

https://www.amazon.com/Border-Blu-ray-Eva-Melander/dp/B07JJPCSLZ/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=Border+blu+ray&qid=1550939901&s=movies-tv&sr=1-3

Ships [Ferahfeza]

https://www.amazon.com/Ferahfeza-Mert-Asutay/dp/B00KCS04CO/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?keywords=Ships+%5BFerahfeza%5D+dvd&qid=1550938047&s=movies-tv&sr=1-1-fkmrnull

Rampant

https://www.amazon.com/Rampant-Blu-ray-DVD-Jang-Dong-Gun/dp/B07KLQF9WY/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Rampant+blu+ray&qid=1550938832&s=movies-tv&sr=1-1-catcorr

Mary Queen of Scots

https://www.amazon.com/Queen-Scots-Blu-ray-Saoirse-Ronan/dp/6317628408/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=Mary+Queen+of+Scots&qid=1550941124&s=movies-tv&sr=1-3

Animal Kingdom: The Complete Third Season

https://www.amazon.com/Animal-Kingdom-Complete-Third-Season/dp/B07NN6HJLM/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=Animal+Kingdom%3A+Third+Season&qid=1550939370&s=movies-tv&sr=1-8

Between Worlds

https://www.amazon.com/Between-Worlds-Blu-ray-Nicolas-Cage/dp/6317642109/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Between+Worlds+blu+ray&qid=1550939606&s=movies-tv&sr=1-1-catcorr

The Possession of Hannah Grace

https://www.amazon.com/Possession-Hannah-Grace-Blu-ray/dp/6317599963/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=The+Possession+of+Hannah+Grace+blu+ray&qid=1550938991&s=movies-tv&sr=1-1-catcorr

Mystery Road: Series 1

https://www.amazon.com/Mystery-Road-1-Aaron-Pedersen/dp/B07KLQRNG3/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=Mystery+Road%3A+Series+1&qid=1550940313&s=movies-tv&sr=1-2

The Vengeance of She

https://www.amazon.com/Vengeance-She-Blu-ray-Olinka-Berova/dp/B07KBQN1LK/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=The+Vengeance+of+She+dvd&qid=1550938446&s=movies-tv&sr=1-1-catcorr