'2012' - A Roller-Coaster Disaster Ride

Mike Vachon — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:47:12 +0100

‘2012' is yet another entry into the ‘end of the world' genre of films. This movie sticks closely to the now familiar pattern established by predecessors such as ‘Armageddon', ‘Deep Impact', and ‘The Day After Tomorrow'. Director, Roland Emmerich, also served as producer on the latter film and other special effects laden projects such as ‘Independence Day' and '10,000 B.C.'

Halloween DVD Suggestions - Trick or Treat?

Mike Vachon — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 01:08:55 +0100

OK, so it's that scary time of year again... no, not tax time - Halloween! Not planning on donning that Donald Trump costume again and hitting the local parties with your ghoul-friend? Here are a few of my personal favorite Halloween titles you might enjoy instead:

First up is 'The Frighteners' (1996), starring Michael J. Fox, Dee Wallace, and JoRead More...

Couples Retreat - A Really Fun Movie (Almost)

Mike Vachon — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:09:24 +0100

The Couples

‘Ah-ha!' I thought, finally a decent date movie for my better half and myself. Having done a Caribbean cruise ourselves earlier this year, I figured we would not only enjoy the promised laughs (previews have a way of setting our expectations, don't they?), but the beautiful island scenery as well. ‘Couples Retreat' is a humorous take on the practice of marriage encounter sRead More...

Surrogates - Vicariously Refreshing?

Mike Vachon — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 02:06:32 +0100

Directed by Jonathan Mostow (‘Terminator 3: Rise Of The Machines', ‘Breakdown'), ‘Surrogates' has a familiar feel to it. It's sort of a cross between ‘Die Hard' and ‘I Robot'. While I liked the concept behind the story; the actual film was creeping me out a bit - the whole notion of people just lounging at home while their mechanical alter-egos step out into the real world to dRead More...

'The Informant!' - The Newest Cure For Insomnia!

Mike Vachon — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 01:08:37 +0100

Megan Fox or Matt Damon? Megan Fox or Matt Damon? This was my quandary as I stood in front of the box office this afternoon. While part of me was curious to see if ‘Jennifer's Body' could chew all of the bite taken by its previews; I also felt that it would probably be a bit too sophomoric in the end. To me, ‘The Informant!' seemed like a vote for cinematic intelligence - boy was I gonna be sorry!

It is amazing just how high the bar is being raised in the realm of animation films. Storyline aside, this offering from Shane Acker (Director) and Starz Animation is incredible to look at. There were moments in this movie I actually forgot I was looking at an animated scene. If you find nothing else to enjoy in the movie, simply looking at all of the quality renderings is reason enough to beRead More...

Taking Stock of 'Taking Woodstock'

Mike Vachon — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 01:15:39 +0100

It is so fitting that on the 40th anniversary of the famed music festival that we would get yet another homage to that epic event. Directed by Ang Lee ('Ice Storm', 'Brokeback Mountain'), the film is actually based on the memoirs of the lead character, Elliot Teichberg. If you're planning on taking in this movie, be forewarned that the actual Read More...

DVD Classics Worth Checking Out - 'The Commitments'

Mike Vachon — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 01:11:09 +0100

Promotional shot of the band

Picture a group of kids (late teens, early 20's) thrown together in an effort to become a renowned soul music band. Long before there ever was an 'American Idol' or 'America's Got Talent', we had this comical look at the struggles behind trying to make it big in the music world. To emphasis the struggle portion of this, the story is set against an economicalRead More...

'District 9' - This Spaceship Really Doesn't Fly

Mike Vachon — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 21:41:09 +0100

Here is yet another perfect example of what should have been a really interesting concept as a baseline for a great sci-fi movie. Instead we get a story that initially hooks you but then loses focus and eventually drifts off into absurdity. The tip off should have been the fact that to gain any traction, this movie had to have Peter Jackson's name atRead More...

DVD Archives - 'Snow Falling On Cedars', 1940's Drama In The Pacific Northwest

Mike Vachon — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 01:47:53 +0100

Film Promo Image

‘Snow Falling On Cedars' (1999) was derived from a masterful novel of the same name, set against real-life American history and penned by first-time writer, David Guterson. Director, Scott Hicks (‘Shine' 1996, ‘Hearts In Atlantis' 2001, ‘No Reservations' 2007), has skillfully brought this original story to the big screen. The story is set in a fictional smallRead More...

The Hurt Locker - Intense and Gritty

Mike Vachon — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 01:18:28 +0100

‘The Hurt Locker’ is a soldier’s eye view of the current war in Iraq and follows a team of U.S. Military bomb technicians in an Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit as they serve out their final 40 days in that country. Director, Kathyrn Bigelow (‘K-19: Widow Maker’, ‘Point Break’, ‘Blue Steel’, and ‘Near Dark’) chose to film this in a cinéma vérité style; giving her work the look & feel of a documentary. ThiRead More...

DVD Recommendation - Memento, An Unusual Keepsake

Mike Vachon — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 13:17:10 +0100

I have to confess to this great affinity for films that are considered ‘off-beat'; ‘Fargo' (1996) is a personal favorite. In addition to that gem, the Coen brothers have provided us with other great titles in this genre, such as ‘Raising Arizona' (1987), ‘The Big Lebowski' (1998), and ‘No Country For Old Men' (2007). There aRead More...

Orphan - This Thriller Will Take YOU in!

Mike Vachon — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 02:59:43 +0100

Sorry about the unintended hiatus, I seemed to hit a rare combination of personal disasters and a dearth of movie titles that actually piqued my interest. Once I got clear of the calamities on the home front, I scanned the current listings for something interesting to see. I intentionally avoided the new Harry Potter film, because I think we’ve all been beaten to death with the ensuing hype. I tried to get my better half interested in &lsquoRead More...

DVD You May Have Missed: 'The World's Fastest Indian'

Mike Vachon — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:18:48 +0100

Back in 2005, when I first learned of this project from Magnolia Pictures (‘Man On A Wire', ‘Romulus, My Father'), I was a little dismayed to learn that it was coming out initially as a limited release film. In fact, it was so limited, I found myself driving all the way over to West Newton, Massachusetts, for a first-run screening. After that, I kept checking to see if it would hit any of the local theater chains, but it didn't. It was that good, I wanted to see it agaRead More...

Public Enemies Should Find Lots of Friends

Mike Vachon — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 04:43:39 +0100

If nothing else, ‘Public Enemies' is beautiful to behold. While not as moody as ‘The Road To Perdition' (2002), this film evokes the era about as well. Directed by Michael Mann (credits include ‘Hancock' and ‘Last Of The Mohicans'); this film looks back into the height of America's gangster past (circa 1933) and provides rich visual details such as period aero planes (a Ford Tri-Motor for you gear-heads out there), steam trains, many vintage cars, and period set piecesRead More...

DVD Classics Worth Checking Out - Silent Running

Mike Vachon — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 02:09:38 +0100

OK, you’ve run out of ideas for NetFlix selections, or maybe you’ve got an Amazon.com gift card burning a hole in your pocket… My suggestion? How about a classic sci-fi DVD? The title I have in mind is the 1972 movie, ‘Silent Running’. While certainly no award winner or box office titan, I think this particular film is still remarkable for a number of reasons.

UP for a Movie?

Mike Vachon — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 20:58:22 +0100

I am so glad that Pixar and Disney studios decided to kiss & make up. ‘Up’ is yet another hit that they can add to their track record. I have to confess that the little kid inside of me has always been attracted to good animated films and I don’t always get to play my grandparent card as a pretext to go to one of these showings. Fortunately, Pixar has seen fit to deliRead More...

Angels & Demons - The Low Down (Let Down?)

Mike Vachon — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 05:00:00 +0100

The much-anticipated film follow up to Dan Brown’s ‘DaVinci Code’ is actually a prequel to that best selling novel, but the ‘Angels & Demons’ script is deftly tweaked to come off as cinematic sequel instead.

Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon in 'Angels & Demons'

Ron Howard (yes, our beloved ‘Opie’ for those of us old enough to remember AndyRead More...

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