DVD Releases for February 21, 2012

Time to take a look at a selection of DVD releases for Tuesday February 21, 2012!

• Café de Flore Canadian film from Jean-Marc Vallée (C.R.A.Z.Y., The Young Victoria) and the top nominee for this years Genie Awards with 13 nominations including best film, director, writing and 3 acting awards and it truly deserves it. One of the most beautiful, heartfelt and creative films I've seen in a long time and a film that truly understands the magic of human nature and love (not currently available on Amazon.com).
• Chalet Girl Really cute romantic comedy following an ex-snowboarder girl who takes up the not-her-type-of-dream-job being a chalet girl. Great across the tracks/coming of age story starring Felicity Jones, Ed Westwick, Billy Nighy and Brooke Shields.
• London Boulevard A very interesting crime drama following a recently released criminal that's not very interested in crime, based on the book of the same name by Ken Bruen; stars Colin Farrell, Keira Knightley, David Thewlis & Ray Winstone.
• Durham County Season 3 I love the surreal feel to this Ontario set crime drama series, and if you are new to it you can dive right in with the Durham County Season 1-3 Set (not currently available on Amazon.com).
• Martha Marcy May Marlene I'm really kicking myself that I didn't see this one theatrically last year, as it looks like such a fascinated strong female protagonist driven film and that would be solo as they appear to be all facets of 1 person. Can't wait to see it.
• The Fades: Season One BBC brings supernatural horror series with a post apocalyptic flavour as it follows a young man who was an interesting connection with his dreams and the even being able to see the dead while waking. This one is totally up my alley.
• Underbelly - Season 1 - War On The Streets I totally want to see this one; and Australian crime drama set in 1995 (Not currently available on Amazon.com)
• More TV to enjoy with Nurse Jackie having it's Season 3 DVD releases and Weeds with Season 7; where does the time go?
• Honey 2 I had no idea that there was a sequel to Honey, which is one of the few dance films I've not seen. This sequel stars Katerina Graham (Vampire Diaries) and is definitely on my radar
• Retreat psychological thriller/virus film starring Cillian Murphy Thandie Newton and Jamie Bell adds to the every growing list of films I want to see!
• Puss in Boots Really cute looking animated film with Antonio Banderas voicing the adventurous title characters who looks like he has a unique, and enthusiastic approach to adventure. I like!
• The Way family drama about walking El camino de Santiago, starring Martin Sheen and Deborah Kara Unger; directed by Emilio Estevez.

Titles on Amazon.ca(Canada):


Titles on Amazon.com (US):

Movie Moxie Podcast 61: The Woman in Black & Coriolanus

On this weeks episode of the Movie Moxie Podcast it's time to get literary with chatting Book to Film Club selection of The Woman in Black as well as the Shakespearean adaptation of Coriolanus. I also catch up with 2 weeks of DVD releases including reviewing the African-set UK zombie film The Dead. Thank you for being patient with my week 'off' last week, thankfully things are less rocky and more happy this week! Yay!

0:00 - 3:50 Intro
3:50 - 12:20 The Woman in Black
12:20 - 24:20 Coriolanus
24:20 - 34:00 2 Weeks of DVD Release including review of The Dead
34:00 - 36:20 Upcoming Next Week
36:20 - 37:37 Outro

• I mention the Book to Film Club selection The Woman in Black and The Secret World of Arrietty based on the Borrowers; our current book selection is The Hobbit, you can join us here!
• I mention my current challenge to read & watch all the Shakespearean plays and my previous reading & watching of Coriolanus
• See DVD releases for February 7 & February 14, 2012
• See my DVD review of The Dead here
• I will be reviewing the DVD release of Breaking Dawn Part 1 in depth over at Before the Dawn early next week.
• See recent Theatrical releases in my weekly Film Fan Fridays & DVD Releases in my DVD Tuesdays Post

I'll be back next week to chat The Secret World of Arrietty and possible one or more of Chronicle, Journey 2 and/or Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance.

Movie Moxie Podcast - A 100% spoiler-free film review podcast
You can also subscribe to the Movie Moxie Podcast here:
Subscribe through iTunes here.

The Dead (2011) DVD Review

Image: Courtesy of Anchor Bay Entertainment

Dirs: The Ford Brothers (Distant Shadow, Mainline Rush)
Cast: Rob Freeman, Prince David Oseia, David Dontoh
UK, 2011

Reason to see: Zombie film!

I love that there are so many zombie films that we can have ones of all different tones, shapes, sizes and settings. The Dead certainly takes a new bite into the genre taking a survivalist tone and unique setting against the beautiful landscape of Africa. It's amazing how it pairs the overwhelmingly vast location with the encroaching zombie presence; providing the audiences with the conflicting, powerful dynamic of nowhere to go and no way to get there. And direction and movement is key in The Dead as it also plays as a journey film, and at times a road movie where you never know who is going to come to cross paths. Except the zombies. There always seems to be more zombies. Working against the zombies we have Brian Murphy (Rob Freeman), a resourceful survivor whom persistently is encountering zombies which begs the question on whether or not he was lucky or unlucky to make it so far. We also have Sargent Daniel Dembele (Prince David Oseia); a father in search of his son among the anarchy with the undead who have arisen. I actually really enjoyed the characters of Murphy and Daniel, the challenges they faced, and again how the audience only gets pieces of their stories which allows for a welcome amount of mystery piquing curiosity of what drives them and what they are capable of, or likely to do, given the extreme circumstance then are put under.

That allowance to fill in the back stories is an interesting and re-occuring choice in The Dead, as it's pretty much a given that the audience will fill in the zombie blanks without relying on the film getting all explain-y. We know what zombies are, so they can instead use that time to create more atmosphere, zombie action and gorgeous visuals. And we get lots of all of those, the effects and gore pores off the screen. It's actually quite unnerving to have the spectacularly gorgeous visuals and setting against the horror of the zombies and gun fire & violence to survive against them. I completely wasn't expect that, and it does feel like a bit of social commentary which for fans of the genre know that social commentary does often go hand in hand with zombie. There was a very strong core to The Dead, and it really played the survivalist card with a strong sense of humanity even with all of the challenges faced. The pacing may be a bit slow for some more action-centric zombie fans, but the effects should keep any horror fan happy and they are gooey and bloody to boot. Personally, I absolutely fell in love with both the setting and the score, and could watch any scene that had the beautiful sky in the background over and over again. The DVD also features a really great audio commentary by The Ford Brothers who share many of the challenges they faced while filming, which really drives home just how hard it can be to make a film and the incredible things people can endure to get their work on screen to entertain us. It's a great extra to check out for a great new take on the genre. Overall, The Dead is a very interesting, and horrifically beautiful, addition to the zombie genre.

DVD Extras:

• Audio Commentary with writer/producer/director Howard J Ford and writer/director of photography/co-director Jon Ford on the harshness of the locations, the challenges in making the film from financial to health to safety (of which there are many, and many of them were rather serious), different filming locations from The Sahara Desert to England, their cameos in the film, the importance and choice of the adventure tone to the film, casting the main characters and the oodles of zombie extras, shout outs to cast & crew, the juxtaposition of the horror against a beautiful landscape, intentional choices against what have become tropes of the genre, reactions from crowds at screenings, zombie films they love and the early 70's feel of the movie.
• Behind-the-Scenes (5 minutes) includes juxtaposition of several filming set ups & shoots vs final result; the cast & zombies chilling out, some direction & make up application, one of the locations that had a major challenges in the film, all set to the beautiful score of the film.
• Deleted Scene (1 scene, 2 minutes) interesting scene that eludes to the 'why this happened'; although the directors chat about the choice to include or not include the history of this in the film.
  

The Dead (2011) is available on DVD as of February 14, 2012. Check it out over at Amazon.ca & Amazon.com

Shannon's Overall View:
I enjoyed it, but wanted to love it
I'll watch it again
I'd recommend it fans of zombie/survivalist films

Return to Film Reviews or see more DVD Reviews

© Shannon Ridler, 2012

DVD Releases for February 14, 2012

Time to take a look at a selection of DVD releases for Valentine's Day - Tuesday February 14, 2012!

• The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part I Although this was released over the weekend on February 11, 2012 it is still the obvious choice for romantics and sparkly vampire fans. I know I already have my copy!
• Doctor Who: The Doctor, The Widow and the Wardrobe Prefer to celebrate a holiday with The Doctor? Now you can with this release of the 2011 Doctor Who special themed on The Lion The Witch & The Wardrobe.
• The Dead Gorgeous shot and African-set survivalist zombie film. This is one is very chilling, unnerving and absolutely stunning.
• UFC 139: Shogun vs Hendo I'm only starting to watch some Ultimate Fighting so I don't know all the players out there but every time these show up I feel like I'm getting that much closer to understanding it all.
• The Rum Diary Johnny Depp stars in journalist who travels to Puerto Rico in this 1950s set film based on the novel by Hunter S. Thompson.
• Elite Squad: The Enemy Within / Tropa de Elite 2 - O Inimigo Agora É Outro, this Brazilian film is a follow up to the 2007 crime/drama Elite Squad.
• J.Edgar Biopic starring Leonardo DiCaprio as J.Edgar Hoover; directed by Clint Eastwood.
• Paranormal Activity 3 This impressive addition to the Paranormal Activity series did come out on DVD a few weeks ago it was only in BluRay and/or combopacks and now you can get in just DVD format. Awesome non-traditional Valentine's pick for the scare-fans out there.
• Human Centipede II: Full Sequence Now this is the absolute anti-Valentine's day pick an honestly after seeing the first Human Centipede, I'm a little squeemishly scared of where they went with this one.
• Urbanized Third film in Gary Hustwit's design trilogy of documentaries after Helvetica & Objectified.
• The Mill and the Cross historical/religious film starring Rutger Hauer, Charlotte Rampling & Michael York centred on Pieter Bruegel's painting The Way to Calvary.
• Tiny Furniture (Criterion Collection) I actually have no idea what this film is about but it's been huge on the indie circuit and an extremely quick turn around to Criterion.
• The Interrupters I really want to see this documentary that follows 'violence interrupters'. Fascinating topic and extremely brave work, I'm so curious to see it.
• Agnosia This Spanish drama/thriller is the wildcard of the week, literally just catching my eye with the poster art that looks totally creepy and possibly supernatural (not currently available on Amazon.com).
• Friday the 13th Ultimate Collection might be another good anti-Valentine's Day pick, although sadly there aren't specifics on what's included in the collection, especially since there was another 'Ultimate Collection' released last summer. Amazon.com notes it's 736 minutes and that Kevin Bacon is in it; so if you are a time math whiz you might be able to determine how many, or if all, of the films are included.

Titles on Amazon.ca(Canada):


Titles on Amazon.com (US):

DVD Releases for February 7, 2012

Time to take a look at a selection of DVD releases for Tuesday February 7, 2012! And also for Saturday 11, 2012 to boot as this upcoming weekend be have the very special release of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part 1.

• The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part I I really thought this one would be out in April like Twilight & New Moon but they are releasing in now so everyone can enjoy it just in time for Valentine's Day which is pretty brilliant timing as it has some of the most romantic moments of the series (release date: Saturday February 11, 2012).
• Anonymous This mystery of who was the real William Shakespeare period piece is one of the film 2011 films I missed in the theatre, and I really regret that but at least now I can catch up with it on DVD!
• A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas Christmas films often have weirdly timed releases for DVD, but I have a feeling Harold & Kumar bringing the Christmas cheer can work 365 days a year. I know I have a guilty-pleasure sense of wanting to see it. Lots of release options for this film including 3D Combo Pack with BluRay/DVD/Digital.
• The Lady and the Tramp: Diamond Edition Classic Disney film getting the Diamond Edition treatment! It's a real cute one, and it's been ages since I've seen it.
• The Assault I’m not a fan of terrorism as a backdrop for action film, but I am a fan of Julian Leclerq (Chrysalis) so I'm torn on if I want to dive into this one. Looks pretty freaking intense. Currently not available on Amazon.com (US).
• Texas Killing Fields (DVD/BluRay Combo Pack) horror/thriller film following hunt for a serial killer with local small town detective (Sam Worthington) and New York City detective (Jeffrey Dean Morgan).
• Super Shark How did this one not cross my path before? It looks like a shark vs the … military? That is just the amount of ridiculous I enjoy in a shark film!
• Metal Shifters This film has the honour of being the first film I watched in 2012! It's a pretty fun B-Movie which also goes by the title Iron Invader.
• Machete Joe I'm curious about this film which has the premise of our of work actors decided to make the own low budget horror movie, and of course it's all going to go horribly wrong.
• Stormhouse Can't help but be curious about a film that has the premise of the military capturing a supernatural entity, and yep, I'm pretty sure it's also going to go horribly wrong! No playing with entities!
• The Hour BBC Series set in BBC newsroom 1956 and stars Dominic Cooper, Ben Whishaw, Anna Chancellor and Anton Lesser and I have to be honest it looks pretty awesome.
• Downton Abbey The Second Season There is a lot of love and energy around this award-winning show set in Yorkshire during The Great War.
  

Titles on Amazon.ca(Canada):



Titles on Amazon.com (US):

Movie Moxie Podcast 60: Moon Point, Viral Factor & The Innkeepers including Q&A with Ti West

On this weeks podcast Shannon tackles quirky Canadian comedy Moon Point and Hong Kong action/thriller The Viral Factor, as well as remembering the awesome of The Innkeepers which opens this week in Toronto. Included in the podcast is the original vlog review from The Innkeepers when it showed at the Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2011 and as a special treat for the third week in a row we have a Q&A from the film. Please note the Q&A for The Innkeepers Q&A included at the very end of the podcast is SUPER SPOILERY. Only listen if you've seen the film. Please! It really talks about everything. Alternatively you can pick & choose the moments to watch in the videos from the Intro and Q&A with director Ti West here.

0:00 - 5:30 Intro
5:30 - 11:00 Moon Point Review
11:00 - 16:05 The Viral Factor Review
16:05 - 22:25 The Innkeepers Reviews
22:25 - 35:00 DVD Releases including: Real Steel, 2-Headed Shark Reviews
35:00 - 58:00 The Innkeepers Intro and Q&A with director Ti West at Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2012

• I mention my 101 Films in 1001 Days Films Part 2
• I mention the Toronto After Dark Film Festival
• See my review & vlog of The Innkeepers
• I mention the videos of the Intro and Q&A with director Ti West at Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2012
• See DVD Releases from January 31, 2012
• I mention the Book to Film Club The Woman in Black comes out this week as well as that our next selection for February is The Hobbit, you can join us here!
• See recent Theatrical releases in my weekly Film Fan Fridays & DVD Releases in my DVD Tuesdays Post

Movie Moxie Podcast - A 100% spoiler-free film review podcast
You can also subscribe to the Movie Moxie Podcast here:
Subscribe through iTunes here.

Up next week: The Woman in Black! Sooooooo exciting :)

DVD Releases January 31, 2012

Time to take a look at a selection of DVD releases for Tuesday January 31, 2012! Pretty light day for releases, but what we don't have in volume we have in awesome & fun.

• Drive This film by Nicolas Winding Refn (Valhalla Rising, The Pusher Trilogy) starring Ryan Gosling was not only of the the Best of 2011, one of my Faves of 2011, one of the best movie experiences of the year for me, and was also one of the few films where I absolutely adored, and understood, each and every moment in it. I highly recommend it.
• 2 Headed Shark Attack Really fun B-Movie following college kids on a summer course at sea, when they stumble on... you guessed it...a 2-Headed Shark!
• The Thing This prequel to the 1982 version of The Thing ended up being one of the happy surprizes of 2011 as it was a solid horror flick that paid loving hommage to the Carperter version, but still held it's own. Definitely worth checking out.
• Dream House Daniel Craig & Rachel Weisz star in this supernatural horror film about a family whose dream home appears to have more history that meets the eye. I thankfully got to see it before seeing any of the trailers, which show way too much!
• Breakaway aka Speedy Singhs, Canadian hockey comedy following an all-Sikh hockey team as it walks the comedic balance of appeasing family wishes, community spirit and following your own heart...yep, that's always going to get me (not currently available on Amazon.com).
• The Double Richard Gere, Topher Grace and Martin Sheen star in this international espionage crime/mystery which is a feature film directorial debut from Michael Brandt.
• In Time This science fiction film where time is currency was sadly one of the big disappointments of 2011, especially as it was from Gattaca director Andrew Niccol. I did think Justin Timberlake continues to impress as an actor and Alex Pettyfer was impressive as a thug, but I found it overall pretty confusing. I would totally check out the DVD if it has a directors commentary though, as while watching I totally could feel the great idea in there but it kept going way off course.
• Blubberlla I can't help but be curious about this film from director Uwe Boll starring Lindsay Hollister, Brendan Fletcher and Michael Paré; I probably should resist...but I don't know if I will be able to (not currently available on Amazon.com).
• This is Not A Film Oddly noted as Ceci n'est pas un film, or perhaps not so odd as it's classification of being a film or not, a documentary or not, centred on Iranian director Jafar Panahi as he awaits in jail for a verdict on his appeal (not currently available on amazon.com).
• Thunder Soul Music documentary on funk - and really, how much more do you need to know?
  

Titles on Amazon.ca(Canada):


Titles on Amazon.com (US):

Movie Moxie Podcast 59: Haywire, Underworld Awakening, Tyrannosaur Q&A and Oscars

On this weeks podcast I talk about the recent Oscar nominations including recommended approaches to how to choose what to see or even the option of seeing everything! Plus I review recent releases of Haywire, Underworld Awakening and share my vlog review of Tyrannosaur as well as share the intro and Q&A from the TIFF 2011 screening with writer/director Paddy Considine. There is a lot of cheering and clapping during the Q&A, as the film received a well-deserved standing ovation.

Time Coding
0:00 - 0:30 Intro
0:30 - 16:45 Oscar Nominations
16:45 - 25:25 Haywire Review
25:25 - 33:00 Underworld Awakening Review
33:00 - 41:30 Tyrannosaur Review from TIFF 2011
41:30 - 55:45 Tyrannosaur Intro and Q&A with writer/director Paddy Considine
55:45 - 1:03:45 DVD Releases including The Year Dolly Parton Was My Mom Review
1:03:45 - 1:05:10 Outro

• I mention my traditional 3 lists for Oscar nominations including a details list, a film list with the details of what it's nominated for and a simple film list with # of nominations (great for printing & highlighting).
• I mention my Facebook Fan Page where I've been Sharing complicated characters who combine charisma and combustion.
• See my vlog and review of Tyrannosaur
• I mention Oscar Noms Hugo, The Help and Jane Eyre were all part of 2011 Movie Moxie Book to Film Club.
• I mention Oscar nominated film Monsieur Lazhur opens January 27, 2012 here in Toronto
• See recent Theatrical releases in my weekly Film Fan Fridays & DVD Releases in my DVD Tuesdays Post

Movie Moxie Podcast - A 100% spoiler-free film review podcast
You can also subscribe to the Movie Moxie Podcast here:
Subscribe through iTunes here.

DVD Releases for January 24, 2012

Time to take a look at a selection of DVD releases for Tuesday January 24, 2012!

• The Year Dolly Parton Was My Mom I absolutely adored this Canadian young coming of age story following a girl who believes that yes, Dolly Parton could be her mom. Lovingly set in the early 70's with a true pulse of what young girls are like, and the strenuous relationships and friendships at a true time of change. Beautiful
• Paranormal Activity 3 I was quite impressed with this third installment and prequel in this horror franchise. The storytelling continues to be strong and the scares are still there. I even liked it better than the clever sequel, and there is a fourth film in the makings as well. Fun times.
• Real Steel I'm really looking forward to checking out this film starring Hugh Jackman as a fighter / operator during a time or robot boxing, and also has strong vibe of unlikely friendship with a kid that helps him out. Can't wait to watch it.
• The Woman With a premise of a family that traps and tries to tame a feral woman, The Woman is not you everyday film and thankfully it's also not one you can pigeonhole into extreme film or over the top for over the tops sake. I was happily surprized that this challenging watch had way more up it's sleeve than I had imagine. And, to top it all off the performances from Pollyanna McIntosh and Sean Bridgers are amazing.
• French Immersion follows four Canadian Anglos and one New Yorker who travel to St. Isidore-du-Coeur-de-Jésus in Northern Québec, to learn French where they learn that they will be learning without using any English at all. (not currently available on Amazon.com)
• The Whistleblower stars Rachel Weisz as a cop and peace keeper who unveils a scandal, and is based on true events.
• Godzilla on DVD & BluRay Criterion If you've never seen this classic Japanese monster movie, than seeing it on Criterion would be a great way to initiate yourself. I only caught up with it a few years ago and it truly is an excellent film
• Tales of an Ancient Empire I'm cautiously curious on this one that's got B-Movie all over it plus the description of "A princess is on a quest to unite the five greatest warriors to save her kingdom from a demon sorceress. " It starts Kevin Sorbo, Michael Paré, Melissa Ordway and Whitney Able (Monsters).
• Buck Rogers in the 25th Century and I'm a little surprized as the entire series is already out on DVD (on 5 discs); but this one season is a 6-Disc set so hopefully it's a really good transfer.
• 50/50 Joseph Gordon-Levitt stars in this semi-biographical film about a young man who struggles with cancer. And... it's a comedy. Hmm.
• Restless (DVD/Blu-Ray Combo) unconventional romance between two young misfits played by Mia Wasikowska & Henry Hopper; directed by Gus van Sant (Paranoid Park, Elephant).
  

Titles on Amazon.ca(Canada):


Titles on Amazon.com (US):

Movie Moxie Podcast 58: Michael Biehn & Michael Eklund Interviews,The Divide & Contraband

This is a very special episode of the Movie Moxie Podcast as with the release of The Divide I am also sharing my interviews with actors Michael Biehn and Michael Eklund, whom I spoke with back in October during the Toronto After Dark Film Festival. Also check out transcripts of both interviews (Michael Biehn here and Michael Eklund here) as there was background noise when I speak with them. You can also check out my original vlog interview of The Divide as well as videos from the Introduction Videos from Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2011 with director Xavier Gens and actors Michael Biehn, Jennifer Blanc-Biehn, Milo Ventimiglia and Michael Eklund. Also on this episode I review currently theatrical release of Contraband, check out DVD releases for January 17, 2012 and review Abduction on DVD.

There are lots of different audio pieces this week so and I did my best to make them as close to each other in audio goodness so I hope you can hear everything clearly. As currently customary there added background rumbling is my cat purring. I think he likes the whole podcasting thing :)

Time Coding
0:00 - 1:45 Intro
1:45 - 5:45 Awards Talk: Golden Globes Awards & Genie Noms
5:45 - 12:30 Contraband Review
12:30 - 18:00 The Divide Review from TADFF Vlog
18:00 - 21:15 Michael Eklund Interview
21:15 - 28:00 Michael Biehn Interview
28:00 - 32:15 The Divide Introduction from the Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2011
32:15 - 53:35 The Divide Q&A from Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2011 with director Xavier Gens and actors Michael Biehn, Jennifer Blanc-Biehn, Milo Ventimiglia and Michael Eklund
53:35 - 59:40 DVD Releases & DVD Reviews of Abduction
59:40 - 1:01:30 Upcoming Films
1:01:30 - 1:02:30 Outro

Show Notes

• Reviews of films mentioned:The Divide, Redline, Hunt to Kill, Tactical Force, The Last Exorcism and Baltasar Kormákur's White Night Wedding / Brúðguminn
• Awards talk: Golden Globe Winners and Genie Nominations
• I mention the Toronto After Dark Film Festival
• My Vlog review of the Divide from Toronto After Dark 2011
• Transcript of Micheal Eklund Interview
  
• Transcript of Micheal Biehn Interview
  
• The Divide Q&A and Introduction Videos from Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2011 with director Xavier Gens and actors Michael Biehn, Jennifer Blanc-Biehn, Milo Ventimiglia and Michael Eklund
• Both interviews were tag teamed with Sarah Gopaul, find out more about Sarah here
• I mention the recent Haywire Passes Giveaway and that if you join any of my email lists you have first chance at any of the giveaways or prizes - sign up here for Film Fan Fridays, Movie Moxie Monthly or the Book to Film Club to hear about prize & giveaway goodness.
• I mention that this weeks edition of Before the Dawn Marina & I share our most anticipated films of 2012
• See more of the DVD releases for January 17, 2012
• See recent Theatrical releases in my weekly Film Fan Fridays & DVD Releases in my DVD Tuesdays Post

Movie Moxie Podcast - A 100% spoiler-free film review podcast
You can also subscribe to the Movie Moxie Podcast here:
Subscribe through iTunes here.


(Left) From the The Divide Q&A at the Toronto After Dark Film Festival with actors Michael Eklund, Milo Ventimiglia, Jennifer Blanc-Biehn, Michael Biehn and director Xavier Gens


Micheal Biehn posing for a photo at the Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2011 (actually during the interview you hear on the podcast - I have recorder in hand on the left!) Photo Credit & Thanks to: Scott Chalmers.

DVD Releases for Tuesday January 17, 2012

Time to take a look at a selection of DVD releases for Tuesday January 17, 2012!

• Redline Absolutely fantastic Japanese animation film centred on racing. I adored it when I saw it at Toronto After Dark in 2011 and can't wait to see it again. A total thrill ride. Highly recommended.
• First Squad: The Moment of Truth I don't normally dig war themed films, but this animated film of Germans vs Russians got me when I read "supernatural army of crusaders from the 12th-century Order of the Sacred Cross". Yeah. Gotta see that.
• Abduction Taylor Lautner (Twilight, New Moon) takes his first stab at a leading action role and although it's got an interesting premise I think forgot who Taylor's fans are primarily made up of.
• Dirty Girl I really want to see this Juno Temple film set in the late 80's and following two friends on a bag 'o' flour.
• Life 2.0 A documentary looking at people whose lives are shaped and changed by connection with the virtual world.
• Traffic Has it really been 12 years since Traffic? Wow. Then it's well overdue the Criterion treatment!
• Mysteries of Lisbon Gorgeous looking historically set multi-country and intertwined relationship film.
• Stephen King's Bag of Bones TV miniseries based on the Stephen King novel starring Pierce Brosnan, Melissa George, Annabeth Gish.
• Merlin: The Complete Third Season Pretty good timing with this release as Season 4 of this Arthurian-set fantasy series has recently begun to air. This UK series is a lot of fun and I've grown to enjoy it more and more over the years.
• Rizzoli & Isles: The Complete First Season This dual female protagonist crime procedual just showed up on Showcase recently and looks pretty interesting.
• Eureka Season 4.5 I still keep kicking myself that I've not checked out this science fiction/comedy series that has a strange suburbia feel.
• Waking the Dead: The Complete Season Six BBC cold case crime procedural and wow, Season Six and this is only the first time I remember hearing about it!
• Courageous Male-centric faith-based drama that's got a religious journey film feel. I think this is actually a new hyper genre as I've seen a few crop up. Wild.
• The Ides of March Ryan Gosling, George Clooney, Paul Giamatti and Philip Seymour Hoffman star in this American political drama, directed by George Clooney.
• 50/50 Joseph Gordon-Levitt stars in this semi-biographical film about a young man who struggles with cancer. And... it's a comedy. Hmm. UPDATE: 50/50 will be released on January 24, 2012.
  
• Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star Follows the title character in his quest to find his parents and become a porn star... like his parents. Easily one of the oddest plots infilm last year. Stars Nick Swardson, Don Johnson and Christina Ricci.
  

Titles on Amazon.ca(Canada):


Titles on Amazon.com (US):