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Mon
30
Mar

Into The Woods Captivating, Creepy Trip Into The Weeds

The concept of getting various fairy tale characters to interact with each other in a shared universe is always an intriguing concept (if, not necessarily, a new one, as easily attested to by ONCE UPON A TIME and, even before that, with Bill Willingham's series, FABLES). In this Disney musical, the audience enjoys an interweaving of Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella and Rapunzel, orbiting around an entirely new tale of the Baker and his wife who are out to lift a curse put on their family by a witch.

Wed
25
Mar

Shania Twain Dazzles in this Vegas Spectacular

Shania Twain Still The One Live From Vegas DVD

Sit back and let me tell you the legend of a singer. She came from a faraway land called Canada, and she had a voice that could tame wild animals. She was catapulted to fame, and was one of the touchpoints for when country music transitioned into from traditional to pop. And then, one day, at the height of her fame... she was gone.

Her name was Shania Twain, and she was unforgettable.

In 2012, Shania returned for a live performance at The Colosseum at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada. That show, "Still The One," incorporated backup singers, dancers, a full orchestra, and interactivity with a giant video screen, delivering an eye-popping performance of music and memories, Vegas-style.

Sun
22
Mar

Peter Jackson's Last Tolkien-Dream Arrives on Blu-ray

Hobbit Five Armies Blu-ray Peter Jackson Tolkien Critical Blast

In comic books, we have this thing called "the fight scene." Some comics end up being nothing but an extended fight scene, skipping over story for wall-to-wall slugging it out.

With the end of THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG, the great dragon Smaug (voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch) was awakened. As THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES opens, Smaug has begun his attack on Lake-town, destroying all in his path. The humans who live there are left refugees, as Bard (Luke Evans) escapes the cell that imprisons him and tries to defend his crumbling and burning town with arrows, eventually succeeding with the enigmatic (and huge) Black Arrow and a makeshift bow.

Thu
12
Mar

Power Rangers Seasons 4-7 Giveaway

Saban Power Rangers Zeo Turbo In Space Lost Galaxy Critical Blast

This contest is over. The randomly selected winner is: LINDSAY D. of URBANA, OH.

 

Well, we promised you it was coming, and now it's here. On the heels of our POWER RANGERS COMPLETE SERIES giveaway, we now have POWER RANGERS SEASONS 4-7 -- the series that came after the "complete" series.

This hotly sought after series by fans of Saban's POWER RANGERS show includes the story arcs ZEO, TURBO, IN SPACE and LOST GALAXY, and includes a bonus disc of extra features.

But how, you may ask, can you make this set yours? Well, one way is to be the randomly selected winner of this contest, which is as simple as entering your information in the form below! Really, it's that easy!

 

Fri
06
Mar

Ginnifer Goodwin Gets Her Pixie Dust On in Disney's NeverBeast

Tinker Bell Pixie Hollow NeverBeast Ginnifer Goodwin Mae Whitman Disney

In Pixie Hollow, every fairy has a role. Fawn (Ginnifer Goodwin) is a fairy whose specialty lies with helping animals. But her big heart sometimes has her making dangerous decisions, underscored in the beginning of this film when we find she's been tending an injured baby hawk. Apparently hawks are the natural predators of fairies, and Fawn's attempt to return the baby to the wild results in near-catastrophe. As a result, she makes a promise to Queen Clarion (Anjelica Huston) that she will be more responsible.

Shortly thereafter, a green comet flashes by, one that returns every 900 and some odd years. Its glow awakens a large hibernating animal, who does strange things. When Fawn encounters the beast, there's an "Androcles and the Lion" moment that bonds them, and then she tries to learn everything about the creature's strange activities, which include building rock towers.

Thu
05
Mar

Burton and Depp's Chocolate Factory Less Dream, More Nightmare in 10th Anniversary Blu-Ray

Tim Burton Johnny Depp Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Tenth Anniversary Blu-ray

I'm a Tim Burton fan. Flat out, I've loved everything of his I've seen, from the Michael Keaton BATMAN film through the black and white FRANKENWEENIE short. Even SWEENEY TODD is on my list of Burton masterpieces.

But until recently, I had not seen CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, which puts a slight dent in what I considered a perfect record.

If you've read the Roald Dahl book, or seen the slightly renamed Gene Wilder film WILLIE WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, then you may be somewhat taken aback by the deviations made in this version of the film. Oh, for the most part, it's the same story: Charlie Bucket (Freddie Highmore) is a good kid from a poor family; Willie Wonka (Johnny Depp) agrees to open his mysterious factory to those who find hidden Golden Tickets; rotten kids from around the world make the cut; cue the Oompa-Loompas for every lesson learned as the rotten kids become victims of their own flaws.

Thu
26
Feb

Capaldi, Coleman Reunite for Doctor Who Christmas Special; Frost Inspired Casting as Santa

Doctor Who Last Christmas Peter Capaldi Jenna Coleman BBC Critical Blast

I did not see the Doctor Who Christmas Special last Christmas. That is to say, I did not see the Doctor Who Christmas Special, "Last Christmas" last Christmas. Of course I've seen the Doctor Who Christmas Special, "Last Christmas," but I saw it last night on DVD.

The annual Doctor Who tradition traditionally provides some of the best stand-alone episodes of the show. And this one certainly plays with the viewers' heads -- and their hearts. The episode opens with Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman) being awoken by such a clatter that has arose on her roof; so she springs from her bed to see what is the matter. When what to her wondering eyes should appear but two elves, a man in a Santa suit, and flying reindeer!

Thu
26
Feb

Sofia the First Must Break The Curse of Princess Ivy

Sofia the First Disney Junior Curse of Princess Ivy DVD Critical Blast

Thus far, our plucky village-girl-turned-princess Sofia (Ariel Winter) has been lucky: nobody close to her -- not counting the scheming Cedric (Jess Harnell) -- has discovered that she has magical powers at her disposal thanks to the Amulet of Avalor, which allows her to talk to animals and call any princess to her in a time of dire need.

That lucky streak breaks, however, when her sister, Amber (Darcy Rose Byrnes) catches Sophia talking to her animal friends, forcing Sofia to tell her about the amulet's power. Amber's jealousy drives her to scheme a way to get to use the amulet herself, to call a princess of her own, just to meet her -- she's hoping for Rapunzel. But she is unaware of the amulet's legend:

Tue
24
Feb

Not-So-Horrible Bosses 2 Arrives on Blu-Ray

Horrible Bosses 2 Blu Ray Warner Brothers Jason Bateman Critical Blast

As I sit to watch Horrible Bosses 2, I remember the first one being pretty amusing. Jason Sudeikis was one of my favorite recent SNL members, Charlie Day is genius in It's Always Sunny in Philly, and who doesn't love Jason Bateman, the only (fairly) sane Bluth. It's this casting adoration that drew me to the first movie and made me return for the second. However, it IS a sequel. With trepidation, I hit play, knowing sequels are generally regurgitated humor posing as original wit.

The movie opens with the Clash singing Police on My Back, so at least we know someone involved has good musical taste. We jump right in with the lead trio having witty banter, an Austin Powers-seque visual penis gag and vaguely racist humor, that is a strong start so far and sets the tone. There will be no high-minded comedy hiding around here. If only they could shoehorn in a fart joke, we would be set.

Thu
12
Feb

Ferran's Bird People Doesn't Quite Take Flight

Bird People on DVD Critical Blast

BIRD PEOPLE, directed by Pascale Ferran, is what I call a “boutique” movie: one that will appeal to a select audience, an audience that loves independent, off the beaten path foreign movies filmed outside the realm of traditional Hollywood style; movies that are thick on imagery and symbolism, have periods of no dialog to make you think, subtitles, and in which almost everyone smokes cigarettes.

BIRD PEOPLE centers on Gary Newman (Josh Charles), an American from Silicon Valley U.S.A. in France for business, and Audrey Camuzet (Anais Demoustier), a maid at the Hilton airport hotel Gary is staying at. Gary is burnt out and fed up with everything and, while staying in the hotel, comes to the realization that he’s done with it all and leaves his wife and his job. Audrey it seems is just as tired of the same old life she has too.

Thu
12
Feb

LEGO Wins Again With Justice League vs Bizarro League

LEGO DC SUPER HEROES JUSTICE LEAGUE VS BIZARRO LEAGUE CRITICAL BLAST

LEGO does it again with this humorous treatment of our favorite super heroes.

JUSTICE LEAGUE VS BIZARRO LEAGUE opens with an introduction to who Bizarro is and what his motivations are, as well as how Superman thought he had dealt with the simple-minded creature for good. But a year later, the Justice League -- Superman (Nolan North), Batman (Troy Baker), Wonder Woman (Kari Wahlgren), Cyborg (Khary Payton), Guy Gardner (Diedrich Bader), Plastic Man (Tom Kenny), Flash (James Arnold Taylor), Hawkman and Green Arrow (both voiced by Phil Morris) -- are up against Gorilla Grodd (Kevin Michael Richardson) and his mind-controlled crew of Giganta (April Winchell), Penguin, Deathstroke, and Captain Cold. This was a fun melee battle scene that brings in characters we've never seen in LEGO minifig version before, creating an immediate want in the market for some figures that don't exist yet. Genius! (Because I want my Plastic Man minifig!)

Thu
29
Jan

Disney Junior Celebrates Valentine's with Doc McStuffins and Lambie

Doc McStuffins Cuddle Me Lambie Critical Blast

Valentine's Day is a day made for cuddling -- and nobody cuddles better than Doc McStuffins' friend Lambie!

However, when Doc gets a new stuffed friend from her parents for Valentine's Day, a heart named Val, Lambie feels threatened. Val's doing all the things that are normally Lambie's area of expertise -- giving out hugs, getting into photographs, and generally being the life of the party as she makes friends with all of Doc's entourage of toys. Doc has proven especially talented at fixing broken toys -- but what can she do to fix a broken heart?

Wed
28
Jan

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Complete Series

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Complete Series

This contest has ended.

The randomly selected winner is: NICOLE L. of TUCSON, AZ!

Stay tuned for another Power Rangers give3away soon.

 

Go! Go! Power Rangers! Fans of Saban's MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS, do we have your attention? Good, because this contest is geared to you!

Up for grabs is the boxed set of 19 DVDs marketed as MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS: THE COMPLETE SERIES. Yes, we know they made more episodes after these first three seasons, we didn't package it up. This cool set -- still in shrinkwrap -- includes the aforementioned discs in five cases, plus a booklet. You'll get the ten-episode ALIEN RANGERS miniseries, rare archival footage, retrospective featurettes, and so much more!

 

Tue
20
Jan

Passing Judgment on David Dobkin's "The Judge"

The Judge starring Robert Downey Jr and Robert Duvall, now on Blu-ray and DVD.

In a Best Supporting Actor category this year that pits Hulk against Hulk (Edward Norton vs. Mark Ruffalo), the true giant to beat may be Robert Duvall, who was nominated by the Academy for his performance as Judge Joseph Palmer in this gripping, emotional drama, THE JUDGE.

The story from director David Dobkin and screenwriter Nick Schenk plays on the popular trope of the big city professional doing his job in small-town America. In this case, it's Robert Downey Jr. who portrays Hank Palmer, a hotshot lawyer who specializes in defending rich clients who are completely guilty. When he is notified of his mother's death, he travels back to his home town in Indiana, where old tensions still exist between himself and his estranged father, who is also the town judge.

Sun
18
Jan

Throne of Atlantis Gives DC Fans Violent Origin of Aquaman

Justice League: Throne of Atlantis

JUSTICE LEAGUE: THRONE OF ATLANTIS is the direct follow-up to JUSTICE LEAGUE: WAR, hinting that there may start being some continuity to the DC Universe Original Movie universe (and yes, I know that's a redundant use of 'universe'). With Darkseid's forces turned back, the world was introduced to a superhero team. Unfortunately, nobody seemed to tell the team that they were a team -- and as a result, when Steve Trevor (George Newbern) comes to Cyborg (Shemar Moore) with a mission to find a missing submarine carrying nuclear missiles, he is set up for a sore disappointment.

Meanwhile, on the coastal New England town of Mercy Reef, Arthur Curry (Matt Lanter) is getting drunk over the recent death of his father. He gets into a brawl with a group of heavies, and displays just how strong he is -- and is observed by an Atlantean bodyguard to Queen Atlanna.

Tue
13
Jan

Genesis: Sum of the Parts on Blu-ray

Genesis: Sum of the Parts

SUM OF THE PARTS is a 90-minute documentary of the band and artists that are the group Genesis. It chronicles the band’s music from its inception up to their 2007 reunion concert, as well as detailing each member’s solo career with added interviews into present day.

Genesis is almost unique in the music world in that their popularity has stood the test of time. Despite lineup changes, butting heads, changes in musical styles and never really being known as a “rock” band, they have achieved lasting worldwide fame both as a group and as solo artists.

Sat
10
Jan

Jake and the Neverland Pirates Get Darling Help in the Battle for the Book

Disney Junior's Jake and the Neverland Pirates - Battle for the Book on DVD

The story of Jake and the Neverland Pirates spins out of the story of Peter Pan and Wendy. But what happens if everyone begins to forget that story?

That's the premise of Disney Junior's JAKE AND THE NEVERLAND PIRATES: BATTLE FOR THE BOOK, as Jake, Izzy and Cubby answer a call for help from Peter Pan that takes them someplace they've never been: London. Wendy Darling still reads to her brothers Peter and Michael about their adventures they had in Neverland with Peter Pan and Tinker Bell fighting Captain Hook. But when Hook learns of the book's existence -- and of the way he's portrayed in the story -- he decides he will steal it and have it destroyed. This prompts Wendy to sing a special song that would call Peter Pan if ever they needed his help. But with Peter otherwise occupied, Tinker Bell carries the call to Jake and his crew, who have plenty of experience retrieving treasure from that sneaky shnook.

Wed
31
Dec

Bad Turn Worse A Turn for the Better

Bad Turn Worse on DVD

This understated indie film starts off slow, but develops in short order into a startling and disturbing series of twisted twists.

Sue (Mackenzie Davis, THAT AWKWARD MOMENT) is a girl of books, and she's preparing to head off to college. Her close friend Bobby (Jeremy Allen White, SHAMELESS) is going with her, but that's a secret few people in the town know. They are leaving behind the third person in their troupe, B.J. (Logan Huffman, V), who decides he's going to see the two of them off with a wild night of partying and a bundle of cash he's saved up.

Mon
29
Dec

Horoscope Says Avoid Zodiac, Signs of the Apocalypse

Zodiac, Signs of the Apocalypse on DVD

There have been several disaster movies that rely on "signs and wonders" as a plot device, but few as hokey as ZODIAC: SIGNS OF THE APOCALYPSE.

An archeological dig uncovers an ancient stone machine harboring a stone of unmeasurable energy. The machine is geared to the twelve signs of the zodiac, the orbit of the eight planets -- and the eliptical orbit of the mysterious planet Nebiru. Professor Neil Martin (Joel Gretsch) is brought in to help understand the device, and he brings along his shy teenaged son, Colin (Reilly Dolman). Martin unlocks the device, landing the stone inside in the hands of Kathryn Keen (Emily Holmes) and her government bosses, starting with Agent Woodward (Aaron Douglas). They also end up rescuing Sophie (Andrea Brooks), who was the assistant on the last mission to the dig, who got buried in a cave-in.

Sun
21
Dec

Peter Capaldi Brings the Insult of Innocent Honesty in Eighth Series of Doctor Who

Doctor Who: The Complete Eighth Series on DVD

If you're someone who likes their numbers in a nice, linear fashion, Doctor Who will give you headaches. The show in enjoying its fifty-first year. The latest season was "Series Eight."  Peter Capaldi plays the thirteenth regeneration of The Doctor, and yet is still referred to as the Twelfth Doctor. At least there's only one Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman) -- unless you count that time she entered the center of the TARDIS and had her essence spread across time and space.

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