News and reviews Week Of June 27th 2009

News and reviews from the Movie Spot, the premier Canadian DVD kiosk. For info on where to find one go to our web site at MovieSpot.Ca


A slower week for releases this time around so we have added a couple of titles that have been out for a week or so and recommended for your summer viewing!One new release of mention is the new one from Morgan Freeman and Antonio Banderas, “The Code” and the teenage heartthrobs, the Jonas Brothers with their concert DVD. New additions as mentioned are
JCVD, the Jean Claude Van Damme semi autobiography that astounded the critics and New In Town a romantic comedy with everyone’s girlfriend Renee Zellweger. Plus we loaded three movies you must see, “Sea Biscuit”, “In Bruges” and the original Harold & Kumar comedy “Go to White Castle”!

Reviews By The Spotter

The Code

Cast: Morgan Freeman, Antonio Banderas
Strange one really, originally titled “Thick As Thieves” and directed by Mimi Leder (Deep Impact) who was once touted as the new big director in Hollywood. It features Freeman and Banderas who both play thieves, with Freeman the old pro who takes his time and Banderas the instant gratification kind who is lucky he is still in one piece. Most of the 103 minutes becomes chases and gun fights, then it is suddenly a heist film where the two (surprise?) team up to crack a high-tech security operation to score two expensive Faberge Imperial Eggs (like the one in the James Bond film Octopussy) This DVD skipped the movie houses and really is a title best suited to DVD where you can’t really complain about spending $1.99!

The Jonas Brothers Concert Experience

The Jonas Brothers head to the big screen in a high-energy Walt Disney Pictures rockumentary feature film. The film blends excerpts from the Brothers' red-hot "Burning Up" concert tour, including guest performances from Demi Lovato and Taylor Swift, with exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, off-the-wall segments, a never-before-heard song ("Love Is On Its Way"), swarming fans and a lot of JB-style humor--giving fans never-before-seen insights into the lives of Kevin, Joe and Nick. Whether you're a screaming female tweener or the chaperone who drew the short straw, the 38-minute mark of this movie is going to be a special moment for you. Fans of the Jonas Brothers, hold on to your popcorn, because this is when the boys take their shirts off backstage as part of a concert costume change. Those who can't wait for the movie to end take heart; the scene also indicates the exact halfway point of the film's 76-minute run time. It's a concert movie, filmed at a stadium in Anaheim, Calif., although all the "behind-the-scenes" footage shows the brothers in New York City. And it is an experience, though whether you spell that with a lower-case "e" or an ear-splitting "eee!" again depends on your demographic.
The opening sequence finds the boys being roused in their New York hotel room at the unteenly hour of 4:30 a.m.; surely excessive, as they don't appear to need any time to shave, and "bed-head" is their hairstyle of choice. After the obligatory chased-by-screaming-fans scene (you can thank the Beatles for that one), director Bruce Hendricks moves us indoors as the band opens with That's Just the Way We Roll, and the first of many shots of sunglasses/drumsticks/guitar picks being thrown at the camera. From there we have the concert and a lot more screaming teenagers. So, if you can stand the noise and yourself have teenage girls in the house, run don’t walk to rent this one!





JCVD

Cast: Jean-Claude Van Damme, François Damiens, Zinedine Soualem, Karim Belkhadra, Jean-François Wolff, Anne Paulicevich, François Beukelaers, John Flanders, Saskia Flanders, Dean Gregory
Could there really be a film in which video superstar Jean-Claude Van Damme, aka ‘The Muscles from Brussels’ holds up a Belgian bank? Incredibly, there could; but JCVD is no spoof. This is an immensely watchable post-modern thriller, in which the martial artist formerly known as Jean-Claude Camille Francois Van Varenberg, down on his luck after losing a part to Steven Seagal (“He cut off his pony tail,” his agent grimly explains), returns to Brussels to spend time with his estranged family, only to become embroiled in a bank heist which may end more than his career. Holed up with hostages and bank robbers, and surrounded by armed police, slathering reporters and mystified fans, 48-year-old Van Damme realises he’ll need more than his considerable karate skills to get out alive. But then, an hour into the film, the action pauses, as Van Damme breaks to deliver an emotional, single-take soliloqy, an appeal-cum-confession, either to the audience or to God, in which he reflects at length on the highs and lows of his twenty-year career, drug problems, complicated love life and place in the world. It’s a coup de cinema, invoking the spirits of Fellini, Truffaut and Godard which, like the rest of the film, shows two sides of Van Damme few have seen before: the human being, and the skilled actor.



New In Town

Cast: Renée Zellweger, Harry Connick Jr., J.K. Simmons, Frances Conroy, Siobhan Fallon Hogan, Nathan Fillion, Rashida Jones
As stereotypes go, Minnesotans don't have it so bad. It's the accents, donchaknow. And the ice fishing, polka dancing, hockey playing, hockey loving, and beer drinking to get through finger-freezing winters that are funny to the rest of us, especially those of us who have lived among them. (Canadians need not apply, we have it worse!) (Actually it was filmed in Winnipeg!)

Minnesota is always going to be the perfect setting for a frozen "fish out of water" romantic comedy, which is a big reason why New in Town, a genuinely funny film works.

It’s an old story send a Miami city girl (Renee Zellweger) to take over a dairy products plant in New Ulm, Minn., and lay off half its work force. Hurl her against stubborn employees (J.K. Simmons) and chummy, too-helpful ladies who scrapbook and make the worst possible impression with the hunky local "Bud-drinking redneck with a pickup truck" (Harry Connick Jr.). And let the chips fall where they may. A nice little chick flick that’s funny and a way to remember winter (who wants to??) Only fault is why doesn’t Harry Connick sing anymore? Remember he was the original Michael Buble!



Must See Newly Added Back Titles

In Bruges

Ray (Farrell) and Ken (Gleeson), two foul-mouthed Irish hitmen, lie low in the medieval Belgian town of Bruges to evade the police after a botched job back home. While awaiting instructions from their furious boss Harry (Fiennes), Ken braces himself for the worst...
Martin McDonagh's "In Bruges" could best be described as the love child between the films of Guy Ritchie's ultra-cool UK gangster films and Quentin Tarantino's ultra-hip American gangster films. Unlike its tedious parents, "In Bruges" doesn't need to be too hip or too cool to be damn good.
Two hitmen are ordered by their boss to hide out in the quaint Flemish town for a couple weeks while the heat from their latest job subsides. The solemn Ken (Gleeson), the elder hitman, is ready



Seabiscuit

There are a few movies that deserve the title “feel good” movie. At Christmas there’s James Stewart’s “It’s a Wonderful Life” and at baseball season there’s Robert Redford’s “The Natural” and then there’s “Seabiscuit” the story of the little horse that could. Starring and executive produced by Tobey Maguire (he used his Spiderman money!)

During the 1930s a funny-looking little racehorse named 'Seabiscuit' became America's most unexpected idol, smashing records for speed, audience attendance and winnings in an amazing career that was avidly followed by millions of people.
Laura Hillenbrand's non-fiction bestseller on the remarkable true story of 'Seabiscuit' and three men united in his cause; the owner, the trainer and the rider ; is a tremendous read, and a recent documentary made by America's PBS confirmed that this tale comes ready-made with absolutely everything for a popular film: romance, tragedy, humor, triumph against the odds, athletic magnificence and, crucially, despairing people and a traumatized animal getting second chances in their lives.

Using archive stills and narration by historian David McCullough (whose voice, so familiar from major documentary series like Ken Burns' The Civil War, brings authenticity), highlighting the gulf between Haves and Have-nots and the rivalry between America's East Coast elitists and the upstart, self-made Westerners whose hopes 'Seabiscuit' carried along with undernourished jockey Red Pollard.
This is tip-top entertainment, though, with a great cast and racing sequences spectacularly conveying the power, excitement and terror amid 1,500 lb beasts threaded through the stampedes around a track by brave men who weigh less than supermodels. This movie is one that never dates, never bores and even though we know the ending, never loses the thrill that only a horse race can give us. Watch it many times it’s one of the best.

Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle

Harold (Cho), a Korean-American investment banker with a report to file, and Kumar (Penn), an Indian-American student facing a vital interview at medical school, smoke grass to chill out. When hunger strikes, they realize that only White Castle burgers will hit the spot and set off on a surreal all-night adventure to find some…The first and the best of the H & K movies. Starring John Cho and Kal Penn.
This movie is cleverer than it looks, inviting Middle America to accept two non-WASP character actors as leads and illegal drug use as a suitable premise for a sweet, romantic comedy.

We want your opinions on any movie you have seen or rented lately, email me your review and we might print it, also if you want us to add a title to the Spot, just let me know at thespotter@moviespot.com

See you next week !

All the news and reviews for the week 15th June 2009. For info on where to find a Movie Spot, http://www.moviespot.ca/
A slow week for releases this time around, just the latest from Tyler Perry and the remake of the classic slasher flick, Friday the 13th. Classic add -ons this week are two of the best from Steven Spielberg, the classics E.T and Schindler’s List.

Some requests for titles to be added to the kiosks include JCVD, Fanboys and the original Taking of Pelham 123 with Robert Shaw and Walter Matheau (haven’t seen the new version yet)
We’re adding more Blu Ray titles every week and starting next week I’ll mention what and where.

Madea Goes To Jail
Cast: Tyler Perry, Derek Luke, Keshia Knight Pulliam, David Mann,
Tyler Perry’s ongoing gag of portraying an elderly six-foot five black woman continues to entertain in “Madea Goes to Jail.” Directing, writing and starring in multiple roles within the film, Perry’s genius is easily admired, just as it was in his previous film in which he portrayed Madea in “Diary of a Mad Black Woman.”
As the alter ego of every person who has been taken advantage of and did nothing to get even, Madea’s belief is that it is just right to do back to others as they do to you. This is seen in a hilarious scene when an arrogant young woman in an expensive red convertible steals a parking space from Madea. What Madea does to get even is what we all wish we could do.
This movie isn’t really all about Madea, it is about Joshua Hardaway (Derek Luke) and Candace Washington (Keisha Knight Pulliam). Joshua is an assistant district attorney who is about to be married to a beautiful, ambitious co-worker who has the best record for prosecuting cases in the DA’s office and how it all ends makes this a genuinely enjoyable movie, a box office smash, scenes with Dr. Phil (he should act! Oh yes that's right he does!)and featured on Oprah Winfrey’s show; what else do you need?



Friday The Thirteenth (The Killer Cut)
Cast: Jared Padalecki, Daneielle Panabaker, Aaron Yoo, Amanda Righetti, Travis Van Winkle, Derek Mears

In this re-imagining of the classic horror film, Clay searches for his missing sister in the eerie woods of legendary Crystal Lake, where he stumbles on the creaky remains of rotting old cabins behind moss-covered trees. And, that's not the only thing lying in wait under the brush. Against the advice of police and cautions from the locals, Clay pursues what few leads he has, with the help of a young woman he meets among a group of college kids up for an all-thrills weekend. But, they are about to find much more than they bargained for. Little do they know, they've entered the domain of one of the most terrifying specters in American film history-the infamous killer who haunts Crystal Lake, armed with a razor-sharp machete--Jason Voorhees
The 1980 Friday was a franchise-founding hit; including sticking an arrow into young Kevin Bacon. Doing it over again with modern day special effects should stop critics from screaming the remake isn’t as good as the original.
We revisit the mystery of the original by running through the business about Jason’s mad mother in a brief prologue then shuffle through plot elements from the first three sequels without addressing the bizarre logic whereby Mrs. Voorhees (Nana Visitor) kills to avenge her son’s death, only for Jason to turn out to be alive and killing to avenge her decapitation, (All horror fans know what I’m talking about!) Unfortunately Jason is a bit of a dull character beside Michael Myers, the Texas cannibal clan or Freddy Krueger; still if you loved the hockey masked nutter, you’ve got to see this one. Only one more thing; why no 3D?



Movie You Didn't Rent and Why You Should!

Kill Shot

Cast: Mickey Rourke, Diane Lane , Thomas Jane, Rosario Dawson, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Johnny Knoxville, Lois Smith, Don McManus
Who knows what Mickey Rourke was doing during his self-imposed exile from the Hollywood hot list?
Whatever he's doing now he should stick with. He follows up a career-saving performance in The Wrestler with an understated yet compelling one in Killshot.
Rourke plays Armand "Blackbird" Degas, a mob hit man from the Toronto mafia!! who makes a life-threatening mistake. While on the run from the mob, he winds up helping psycho bank robber Richie Nix (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) rough up a Realtor; but the men are seen by Carmen Colson (Diane Lane) and her husband, Wayne (Thomas Jane, the original "punisher"). Unfortunate for them, and they're moved into the federal witness-protection program so Blackbird can't find them. Good luck with that!
It's ultimately Rourke who makes the film worth watching: the miles of wear on his face makes him even more fascinating. Blackbird is a killer, but he adheres to a set of rules, however twisted. He thinks of himself as a man of honor, at least when it serves his interests.
The role, the movie and the performance admittedly don't measure up to The Wrestler. But Killshot serves notice that The Wrestler wasn't a one-shot deal, that Rourke is back doing work that demands notice.
The film is based on an Elmore Leonard novel and directed by John Madden (Shakespeare In Love)with executive producer Quentin Tarrantino.
PS If you haven’t seen it, you must try to find the Rourke movie “Year of the Dragon”, made when Mickey was a lot younger and less muscled, a superb movie that I am promising to put into the kiosks very soon!



TV Series now at the Spot.

Rome Season 2

The gritty, decadent world that HBO built spills more blood in its second and final season, the post-Caesar chapter that pits Mark Antony (James Purefoy) against Octavian (Simon Woods). Sweeping battlefield showdowns offer high drama, but the soap-operatic subplots orchestrated by the cunning, stunning, emerald-eyed Atia (Polly Walker) are where the real action is. EXTRAS Five sharp commentaries and four featurettes are a must-watch. Television at its best!

Breaking Bad Season 1

Shown on cable network AMC, cult hit Breaking Bad revolves around Walter White (Bryan Cranston), a struggling high school chemistry teacher with a teenage son who has cerebral palsy , and a pregnant wife. When the already tense White is diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, he breaks down and turns to a life of crime, and starts producing and selling methamphetamine with his former student in a desire to secure his family's financial future.
Breaking Bad has received widespread critical acclaim, particularly for its writing and Cranston's performance on the show, and won two Emmy Awards for its first season in addition to numerous other awards and nominations.

Must See Newly Added Back Titles
This week we are adding 2 titles by Steven Spielberg, 2 movies as different from each other as can be imagined; first off;

E.T.
E.T. - The Extra-Terrestrial is one of the biggest money makers in box-office history. It is quite possibly the best known of all Steven Spielberg's films. Even at the relatively young cinematic age of two decades, it is beloved by multiple generations of film-goers. Actually based on “The Day the Earth Stood Still”, which is itself a thinly-veiled re-telling of the Christmas story. Spielberg has always harbored a more benevolent view of space aliens than most of his Hollywood brethren. Close Encounters remains one of the most positive and intelligent views of the U.F.O. phenomenon ever to be filmed. Here, Spielberg postulates what might happen if a cute-but-strange-looking alien is marooned on Earth. "E.T.", as he is dubbed, chances upon a boy named Elliot (Henry Thomas). After their initial encounter, in which they frighten one another, they meet again, and form a bond. Elliot invites E.T. into his house and hides him in his closet. He tells his older brother, Michael and his younger sister, Gertie (Drew Barrymore), about his new friend. But, because of Earth's unfamiliar climate, E.T. begins to show symptoms of a wasting sickness. Using household items, the strange little alien builds a communication device that allows him to "phone home" by sending a signal into space, but E.T. is dying, and Elliot, who is psychically bonded to him, is seriously ill.
E.T. is a tear-jerker and a feel-good experience rolled into one. E.T. earned its reputation by capturing the imagination of movie-going audiences across the nation and holding it for some time. Parents could take children. Teenagers could take dates. And older viewers were pleased to find a movie with old-fashioned values. This movie is a fairy tale with a heart, and for those who have previously seen it, this is a chance to recapture something. And for those who haven't, this is an opportunity to see a movie that, at its best, is almost as special as its reputation indicates.
The second Spielberg movie:

Schindlers List
Cast: Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, Ralph Fiennes
There have been numerous documentaries and dramatic productions focusing on the Holocaust, as a result, in deciding to film Schindler's List, Steven Spielberg set an imposing task for himself. His product had to remain faithful to the unforgettable images which represent the legacy of six million massacred Jews. Those who see this motion picture will witness Spielberg's success.
The film opens in September of 1939 in Krakow, Poland, with the Jewish community under increasing pressure from the Nazis. Into this tumult comes Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson), a Nazi businessman interested in obtaining Jewish backing for a factory he wishes to build. He makes contact with Itzhak Stern (Sir Ben Kingsley), an accountant, to arrange financial matters.
When the Jewish community is sent to a concentration camp Schindler begins to ingratiate himself with the local commander, Amon Goeth (Ralph Fiennes), a Nazi who kills Jews for sport. Using his relationship with Goeth, Schindler begins to secretly campaign to help the Jews, saving men, women, and children from certain death.
Spielberg elected to film this motion picture in black-and-white, and it's impossible to argue with his choice. Director of Photography Janusz Kaminski made effective use of shadow and light, meticulously limiting the application of hue. The opening scene is in color, as is the closing sequence (which features the surviving "Schindler Jews", each accompanied by the actor who played their character, placing a stone on their savior's grave). There are also two instances when color is allowed to bleed into the blacks, whites, and grays. One little girl's jacket appears red so that she stands out from the masses, and a pair of candles burn with orange flames. When color is used, it makes a point and an impression. First and foremost, this movie tells the tale of the Holocaust, presenting new images of old horrors. These are as ghastly and realistic as anything previously filmed, and Spielberg emphasizes the brutality of the situation by not pulling punches when it comes to gore. The blood, inky rather than crimson in stark black-and-white, fountains when men and women are shot in the head or through the neck.
The acting is excellent. Liam Neeson's Schindler is shown in all his complexity, from self-centered businessman to driven messiah. Ralph Fiennes stuns with his intricate, savage portrayal of the Nazi commander, a man fascinated by power and murder. Fiennes' Goeth has the rare ability to both mesmerize and repulse, and this is a performance that will long be remembered.
The story of Oskar Schindler's sacrifices for the Jews sets this apart from other Holocaust dramas. Schindler's List offers a clear view of human nature laid bare: hatred, greed, lust, envy, anger, and, most important of all, empathy and love, and that's what establishes this as a transcendent motion picture experience. Winner of countless Oscars, best director, best film etc, this movie that has to be seen, studied and yet enjoyed for what it is, a remarkable piece of work.



We want your opinions on any movie you have seen or rented lately, email me your review and we might print it, also if you want us to add a title to the Spot, just let me know at http://thespotter@moviespot.com
See you next week