Movie Info:
Writer: John Gatins, Mark Schwahn
Director: Thomas Carter
Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, Ashanti, Rob Brown, Rick Gonzalez, Antwon Tanner, Channing Tatum
Rating: PG 13
Studio: Paramount

Release Info:
Theatrical Release:
DVD Release Date: December 16, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon for $19.99

By now, I’ve seen most of the sports inspired, true story movies. I’ve seen the Remember the Titans and the Rudy types of movies, and as a sports fan I like them. The Coach Carter story isn’t anything new. It’s just with a different sport (basketball) then many of the other inspirational, based on a true story, sports movies. The only difference is the true story part of this movie only happened about ten years ago.

Coach Carter is a real person. He really did work at the High School in Richmond, CA. He also did shut out his players from their undefeated season when he found out that they weren’t fulfilling an academic contract he made them sign at the beginning of the season. While this initially sparked outrage in the community, the truth about Carter soon came out. He was on a quest to get his players an education that would ensure they could attend college. This soon made him a local and national hero.

Today, Coach Carter is still working in the community, though he no longer works at Richmond High School. He continues to inspire youth to receive a quality education. There isn’t a lot of opportunity for these students, who come from an inner-city, poor neighborhood. In fact, Carter helped to turn the school basketball program and the lives of his players around during his tenure at the school. He was still working at Richmond High when Samuel L. Jackson played Carter in this movie, which was originally released in 2005.

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Movie Info:
Writer: Diane English
Director: Diane English
Cast: Meg Ryan, Annette Bening, Eva Mendes, Debra Messing, Jada Pinkett Smith, Bette Midler, Candice Bergen, Carrie Fisher, Cloris Leachman, Debi Mazar, India Ennenga, Natasha Alam, Ana Gasteyer
Rating: PG-13
Studio: Warner Bros.

Release Info:
DVD Release Date:December 19, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon for $26.99

I’m the type of guy who can’t stand chick flicks. Well, unless they are well written and feature Meg Ryan. Looking back at the “chick flicks” I’m able to tolerate watching, nearly all of them have Meg Ryan in them. My mother in law loves Meg Ryan. So, I’ve seen many of her chick-friendly movies. I admit it. When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle and even You’ve Got Mail are watchable. I’ve seen all of these movies more than once.

As a genre though, I’m just not into the chick movies. I’ll watch them occasionally with my girlfriend, just to be a nice and caring boyfriend. Of course, I don’t expect to like the movies. I’m just glad my girlfriend, Ashtyn, seems to like drama, action, and horror movies a lot more than she does chick flicks. We tend to agree on our assessment of most films, so I can expect that she won’t want me to watch any Cameron Diaz movies. It’s just not her style.

When I was told I had to review a movie called The Women I didn’t know what to think. The title alone just screams chick flick. Then I heard about the cast. Meg Ryan, Annette Bening, Eva Mendes, Debra Messing, Jada Pinkett Smith, Bette Midler, Candice Bergen, Carrie Fisher and Cloris Leachman all have parts in this. Meg Ryan was the first name I heard. I like Meg Ryan, but she has had some real doozies! I was hoping this was more of a When Harry Met Sally then it was a French Kiss.

When I heard Annette Benning was in this, I had hope. She isn’t really the big chick flick type. Her roles are usually more dignified. Adding in Eva Mendes and Jada Pinkett Smith could definitely spice this movie up, and while Debra Messing definitely does the chick flick thing, she was fabulous in Will and Grace. So, with the right cast, she could be not so chick flick-y.

Add in some Candace Bergen, a woman I’ve enjoyed watching, ever since she made fun of Dan Quayle on Murphy Brown (and perhaps even before then), Bette Midler (what’s not to love about the magnificent Bette?), Cloris Leachman (who is just a hoot – dating back to her Young Frankenstein days), and Carrie Fisher. Sure Carrie isn’t dressed up with Cinnamon buns. She doesn’t have a semi-automatic weapon she’s using as she chases down her ex. She does play quite the sleazy reporter/writer though, and those dark and nasty roles she plays are always fun.

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Written by Dominick - Visit Website
Dominick Evans is in his late 20's. He spends his days working as a full time writer/editor and a part time musician/composer. His passions in life include music, directing films, watching movies, reading books, watching sports, wheelchair football, politics, his religion (Hellenic Reconstructionism) and spending time with his family (fiancée Ashtyn, son Robert, and shih-tzu Oliver). Other interests include being an advocate for the disability and GLBT communities.

Movie Info:
Writer: Sean Penn
Director: Sean Penn
Cast: William Hurt, Marcia Gay Harden, Vince Vaughn, Hal Holbrook, Catherine Keener, Jena Malone, Kristen Stewart, Emile Hirsch
Rating: R
Studio: Paramount

Release Info:
Theatrical Release:
DVD Release Date: December 16, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon for $17.99

Ever since Into the Wild came out on standard DVD, Ashtyn has been bugging me to check it out. She reviewed the standard edition over on our other website, LI Reviews. She was impressed by how good Into the Wild was and she talked about how much I would like it. Like the good boyfriend I am, I avoided the movie like the plague, despite the fact that Ash is usually right when she says I’m going to like a movie. For the most part, she knows my movie tastes.

It wasn’t that I thought this movie was going to suck. The movie has a great cast, and typically, great casts don’t make crap if they can help it. My main problem was with the story. A guy heading to Alaska and starving himself to death didn’t exactly sound like a walk on the beach. It sounded rather horrendous to me. Add in the fact that this is a true story and I wasn’t sure I was up to watching this type of movie.

I’m no wuss. I have watched the goriest of horror movies. I just felt extremely bad for Chris McCandless and his family. This movie is based on his life, and what a tragic story it is. The movie explores themes like the value of life versus the value of money, potential mental illness and a whole slew of other deep topics. I didn’t think the movie sounded like fun, so I didn’t want to watch Into the Wild. Well, imagine my surprise when the Blu Ray was announced for December. That meant I’d be the one watching and reviewing this movie.

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Written by Dominick - Visit Website
Dominick Evans is in his late 20's. He spends his days working as a full time writer/editor and a part time musician/composer. His passions in life include music, directing films, watching movies, reading books, watching sports, wheelchair football, politics, his religion (Hellenic Reconstructionism) and spending time with his family (fiancée Ashtyn, son Robert, and shih-tzu Oliver). Other interests include being an advocate for the disability and GLBT communities.

Movie Info:
Writer: John Hughes
Director: Chris Columbus
Cast: John Heard, Joe Pesci, John Candy, Catherine O’Hara, Macaulay Culkin, Daniel Stern
Rating: PG
Studio: 20th Century Fox

Release Info:
Theatrical Release:
DVD Release Date: December 2, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon for $23.99

If there is one movie I remember loving at Christmas time, as a kid, it’s Home Alone. I don’t know how many times I saw this movie in the theater. I just know it was a lot. I’m only a few months younger than Macaulay Caulkin, so I loved this movie. I used to pretend I was Kevin, and make little drawings of the fun house I would attempt to set up, just in case someone tried to break into my house. I think I even tried to set up various booby traps around my house, which didn’t go over well with my parents.

I’ve seen Home Alone at least 100 times since I owned the VHS and ran it ragged. Actually, I’ve seen the first two Home Alone movies so many times I could probably recite their plots in my sleep. Now that I have kids, I’m the one who has to watch Home Alone with them. What’s not to love about this movie? Seriously, it’s the 80s, classic Christmas special for the ages to enjoy.

Being a young boy around the age of Kevin McCallister meant that I was able to relate to this movie a lot more than adults could. I was the independent type, like Kevin. I could cook my own meals, by that time, shower myself, and pick out my own clothes. I wasn’t too good with the laundry though. Every kids secretly wishes, at one point or another, that their family will disappear. Besides, this is a John Hughes film. What’s not to like about it?

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Written by Dominick - Visit Website
Dominick Evans is in his late 20's. He spends his days working as a full time writer/editor and a part time musician/composer. His passions in life include music, directing films, watching movies, reading books, watching sports, wheelchair football, politics, his religion (Hellenic Reconstructionism) and spending time with his family (fiancée Ashtyn, son Robert, and shih-tzu Oliver). Other interests include being an advocate for the disability and GLBT communities.

Movie Info:
Writer: Pam Brady
Director: Akiva Schaffer
Cast: Andy Samberg, Sissy Spacek, Isla Fisher, Ian McShane, Will Arnett, Danny McBride, Bill Hader, Jorma Taccone
Rating: PG 13
Studio: Paramount

Release Info:
Theatrical Release:
DVD Release Date: December 16, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon for $19.99

Whatever happened to Ian McShane or Sissy Spacek, for that matter? Lovejoy in the flesh and the woman who made us love Stephen King by portraying the crazy Carrie White have both made one crazy career decision. Of all the movies to star in, why Hot Rod? Seriously, the movie is way beneath their skill level. I know both of them are getting older, but performing in a movie like Hot Rod bespeaks of actors who seem desperate for work. It’s just sad to see such talent in such drivel.

Hot Rod is absolutely pointless as a movie. The story for this is stupid and convoluted. I didn’t like this the first time I saw it, on standard DVD, and I still don’t like it now. I’m not exactly sure why Paramount went out of their way to make a Blu Ray transfer for this film. I feel sorry that actors like Ian McShane and Isla Fisher have their names attached to this crap, because it is just pathetic and if I was in this, I’d be embarrassed to have my name attached to such a stupid, worthless movie.

The problem with this movie is the story. Sure, Hot Rod has a plot, but it’s so stupid I don’t know who the heck would want to watch this movie. I could see a five year old coming up with the plot for this and his dad saying “Gee son, what a great idea! Let’s make this into a film.” The only problem for this scenario is the fact that Hot Rod is geared towards adults so it’s five year old logic is so pathetic, that adults will want to vomit in their mouths at the thought of even watching a film like this.

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Written by Dominick - Visit Website
Dominick Evans is in his late 20's. He spends his days working as a full time writer/editor and a part time musician/composer. His passions in life include music, directing films, watching movies, reading books, watching sports, wheelchair football, politics, his religion (Hellenic Reconstructionism) and spending time with his family (fiancée Ashtyn, son Robert, and shih-tzu Oliver). Other interests include being an advocate for the disability and GLBT communities.

Movie Info:
Writers: Christopher Nolan, Jonathan Nolan, David S. Goyer, Bob Kane
Director: Christopher Nolan
Cast: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Michael Caine, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Monique Curnen, Cillian Murphy, Chin Han, Anthony Michael Hall, Nathan Gamble
Rating: PG-13
Studio: Warner Home Video

Release Info:
Theatrical Release: July 18, 2008
DVD Release Date: December 9, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon for $23.99

Heath Ledger deserves an Oscar. Period.

I’ve heard the naysayers, who claim Heath’s performance is just hyped up because he died, but to watch him is chilling. It’s complex, to truly understand all that he took on to embody such a diabolical character, as the Joker. I was spellbound by his performance, and that truly is very rare in this day and age. He had the kind of presence in a film you see from a Daniel Day Lewis (though who could imagine Day Lewis as the Joker?). The hype about Ledger as the Joker began before he died, and continued to swell after his untimely passing.

All things aside, The Dark Knight is a great film. It’s one of the best I’ve seen in 2008. The performance level by all of the actors (save for a few) makes this movie more than just a comic-inspired movie. This film is a fully packed, action filled, blockbuster, with the capability of appealing to a wide range of audiences. Still, this is not just a Batman movie. Nolan and his cast turn this into a work of art. Just because it’s popular doesn’t mean it cannot have that bohemianly avant-garde feel to it. This was brought on by Ledger more than any other player. Just because a movie is popular, mainstream, and a blockbuster sensation doesn’t mean it can’t be deserving of Oscar-buzz. Some films are meant to transcend genres and expectations. The Dark Knight is one of them.

I haven’t seen the standard edition of this. I have no need to, because I own the Blu Ray. All I can say is, BUY BLU RAY. If you have a Blu Ray player, you need to buy this in Blu Ray. I was enveloped in this absolutely stunning, cinematography-filled, cacophony of blissful Batman-heaven. I love Batman. He’s my favorite comic book hero, but never have I seen such an excellent film adaptation of my favorite boyhood superhero. Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, George Clooney, Jack Nicholson, Nicole Kidman. None of them can hold a candle to the kind of performances we see from the cast of The Dark Knight. This film is epic and lived up to any and all of my expectations. Despite all the hype, this movie surpassed it.

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Movie Info:
Writer: Edmund H. North, Harry Bates
Director: Robert Wise
Cast: Michael Rennie, Patricia Neal, Hugh Marlowe, Sam Jaffe, Billy Gray, Frances Bavier, Lock Martin
Rating: G
Studio: 20th Century Fox

Release Info:
Theatrical Release: September 28, 1951
DVD Release Date: December 2, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon for $20.99

I know some might see this as a travesty, but before reviewing this in Blu Ray, I had never seen The Day The Earth Stood Still. I can see why this movie is a favorite amongst fans of old Sci Fi. I love old films and it’s actually pretty amazing how relatable the central theme of The Day The Earth Stood Still is to today’s audience. I believe we all could learn something from Klaatu and his message of peace.

It’s fitting that Fox released The Day The Earth Stood Still in Blu Ray in this time when Global Warming is threatening to destroy many of the Earth’s finest species. The movie holds a certain charm that can only be seen in those old Sci Fi films, that have rustic looking special effects, seemingly laughable at all the high tech performances that can be made today. Still, it isn’t the archaic special features, which were no doubt, revolutionary at the time this film was made, that make The Day The Earth Stood Still such a remarkable movie.Rather, it is the engaging story and the universal message, which tell the tale of this movie’s success.

The Day The Earth Stood Still isn’t going to be for everyone. If you survive on chick flicks and/or high-powered, action flicks this movie isn’t going to be your cup of tea. Likewise, the inherent message of this film will be lost upon many of the tweens of today. Still, the message is important enough that if you can look past all the silly 50’s-esque gadgetry, the film can easily be appreciated. The acting is solid (though sometime quite a bit over the top – as common for the genre in this era), the story is engagingly retro, and the entire film has a feel to it that draws a viewer in. Essentially, The Day The Earth Stood Still is the diminutive Sci Fi classic, fans of the genre won’t want to miss watching.

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Written by Ashtyn - Visit Website
Ashtyn Evans is a writer, advocate, free thinker, and all around cynical person. Always quick to find the negative in anything pop culture, she loves being a part of that which she despises. Ashtyn and Dominick own numerous blogs together, as well as a full-time writing business. In her spare time she is a full-time college student studying History and Psychology. She plans to one day give up her freelance career and be a full-time blogger, novelist, and domestic goddess. She can be contacted for writing projects, fan mail, or just to say hi. She really is friendlier than we make her look.

Movie Info:
Writer: Frank Spotnitz, Chris Carter
Director: Rob Bowman
Cast: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Martin Landau, Blythe Danner
Rating: PG 13
Studio: 20th Century Fox

Release Info:
Theatrical Release: June 19, 1998
DVD Release Date: December 2, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon for $18.99

I know The X-Files had, and still has, somewhat of a cult following. I wasn’t a member of the cult, but I did occasionally enjoy the show when it aired on Fox. I thought the show was well written and interesting, but I often forgot to watch it. I’m a bigger Sci Fi fan than I give myself credit for being. I’m not exactly sure why I never clicked with this show, but whenever I did catch it on television, I was glad to watch it.

The X-Files movie, also called Fight the Future, which is the movie tagline, was originally released in 1998. I didn’t see this film until now. I have to wonder what I was missing because this is great. The chemistry between Mulder (David Duchovny) and Scully (Gillian Anderson) is a good enough reason to be enthralled with both the show and the movie, but it goes further than that. Both the movie and show really have a plot and it’s a good one!

The X-Files movie is supposed to take place between the 5th and 6th seasons of the show. This release in Blu Ray corresponds to what is being called the sequel to this film, The X-Files: I Want to Believe. This isn’t a sequel per se, as it is more of a sequel to the entire The X-Files television series. Either way, it’s good to have Mulder and Scully back at it, because they are pretty good at their jobs.

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Written by Dominick - Visit Website
Dominick Evans is in his late 20's. He spends his days working as a full time writer/editor and a part time musician/composer. His passions in life include music, directing films, watching movies, reading books, watching sports, wheelchair football, politics, his religion (Hellenic Reconstructionism) and spending time with his family (fiancée Ashtyn, son Robert, and shih-tzu Oliver). Other interests include being an advocate for the disability and GLBT communities.

Movie Info:
Writer: Andrew Adamson, Christopher Markus
Director: Andrew Adamson
Cast: Ben Barnes, Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, William Moseley, Anna Popplewell, Sergio Castellitto, Peter Dinklage, Warwick Davis
Rating: PG
Studio: Walt Disney Home Entertainment

Release Info:
DVD Release Date: December 2, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon for $24.99

I remember when The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe was released. I was mildly curious about the film. By previews alone, it looked like it was going to be pretty amazing. Then there was a hailstorm of marketing that just rubbed me the wrong way. The debate was on the religious nature of the film. Apparently, there was a large group of Christians that wanted the world to believe this might as well have been a children’s Bible story. With all the talk about it, I made the decision not to see it for the mere fact that I did not remember the stories by CS Lewis to be like that. I hate seeing a movie adaptation that is grossly different than the original product.

However, when we received this for review, we gathered around the Playstation 3, and I made a decision to review this version, as opposed to the DVD version that also arrived. I was all set to be skeptical. I am ashamed to say that I even looked for Christian references that I felt were thrown in unnecessarily. Not too surprisingly, I did not find any. I did find a really impressive story though. In fact, the acting and story were enough to make me want to go back and see the first movie when I have some time.

As a refresher, or for anyone that has not read the books, The Chronicles of Narnia is all about a stately land where Kings and Queens rule, dragons and dwarves exist, and anything is possible, if you only believe. Narnian’s start out life old and as they grow they become younger. This easily explains why the four Kings and Queens are teens and pre-teens. This provides an interesting story for the entire family. Kids are more willing to be interested for the sheer fact that the leads are children themselves.

Still, a good book doesn’t automatically equal a good movie. It requires good acting, a solid screenplay, point on direction, and in the case of a Blu-ray, excellent sound and video quality. Luckily, all of these things and more were offered here in Prince Caspian. All of the actor’s were fairly new to me, with exception to Peter Dinklage and Liam Neeson (the voice of Aslan), though I was impressed by most of them.

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Written by Ashtyn - Visit Website
Ashtyn Evans is a writer, advocate, free thinker, and all around cynical person. Always quick to find the negative in anything pop culture, she loves being a part of that which she despises. Ashtyn and Dominick own numerous blogs together, as well as a full-time writing business. In her spare time she is a full-time college student studying History and Psychology. She plans to one day give up her freelance career and be a full-time blogger, novelist, and domestic goddess. She can be contacted for writing projects, fan mail, or just to say hi. She really is friendlier than we make her look.