Movie Review: "Never Let Me Go"

September 16, 2010

If you had the opportunity to never get sick, never have cancer, and live well into your 100’s would you? What if you knew there was more to it? That in order to achieve such a monumental thought, that we, today, strive for every minute, every second of every day to eradicate such pestilence in the world takes one special being, a donor. A donor is a person who is there for you in case you need something to keep yourself healthy, no matter what the cost is to them personally. It lives you to question what makes us who we are. In this adaptation of Kazuo Ishiuro’s (The Remains of the Day) novel about three lives from childhood to adulthood through the secrets of life that we take for granted. It is as the say complete in a stories true sense, it is born, it lives, its ends, and it does it in an admirable fashion.

Mark Romanek (One Hour Photo) directs a story that makes you question what is good for the benefit of all humanity and what is humanity. Translating the words of page to screen is Alex Garland (28 Days Later, Sunshine) bringing us the verbal medley of thought provoking cinema. Together with an stellar cast of Carey Mulligan (An Education, Brothers) as quiet Kathy, Andrew Garfield (The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, Boy A) the ever questioning Tommy, and Keira Knightley (Pride & Prejudice, Atonement) as worldly adventurous Ruth. Together they all delve deep into our psyche and make us cringe, wonder, cry, and become introspective of ourselves.

The time is an alternate line from what we live in. It is possible to live well into your 100’s and virtually no dieses are present. But it takes a special few to make that possible. Welcome to Hailsham boarding school. The students are for not without what they need to keep them bright, creative and more importantly, healthy. Kathy (Mulligan) and Ruth (Knightley) are friends from the beginning, always chatting with each other about everything from their imagination, artwork and yes boys. Tommy (Garfield) is the seen as the misfit of the school, picked last to play games or not very artistic to his fellow classmates. It is in how Tommy is treated that Kathy starts to see him in a different light but she is not the only one. Ruth takes a liking to Tommy as well and makes an advance before Kathy can. There is something amiss though when a new teacher quickly learns that unlike herself and most of the people she knows, destiny has already been chosen for these young minds. They cannot be a race car driver, actor, or teacher but are pre chosen to be donors. With this news the three live their lives connected together by a strong desire of love, hate, and respect.

Trying to put into words how this story is imagined on the screen is baffling for me. I applaud Romanek and Garland bringing together a talented group of actors to put a little bit of a morality thought into our minds. With the forte of the production crew bringing a world to life that in some ways mirrors what we as a society are going through now. Whether it is the blandness of the sets and costuming to blend in the era they are portraying to the photography feeling more like a documentary. It all plays well with each other, making you focus on the true reason you’re sitting in the theater, to see a story about life.

Carey Mulligan winds her way into your thoughts through her narration of Kathy and the recollections of her time with Ruth and Tommy. So innocent and pure in thought it leaves and eerie feeling inside you, knowing her destiny is planned. Carey does a remarkable portrayal of the innocence of life. It is as though she taps into your heart and shows you the true nature of this film. Andrew Garfield playing Tommy delves into that thought we have of what is our purpose in life. What is inside us that makes us who we are and what we do. He is kind of the rebel that is looking for his purpose and striving to be better even when everyone else kicks him down. Andrews soft yet harsh almost childlike performance makes you want to be by his side and show him everyone has something special about them. Keira Knightley as Ruth is that one antagonist we have all encountered in our lives, the one that takes what you want because she can and not because she should. Keira just lights up her villainous side in this movie. She is living for herself and no one to stop her. For this film she has broken away from past performances and set a new level for herself.

Warning, “SPOILER ALERT”, in my final words. So what would you do, life, living off of others or live naturally without the brashness of medical advances? It is this that the film delves into, the human factor. What makes us who we are? Who can we be, do, change, affect? Who are we to say who is human? As I mentioned above, this film mirrors some issues we as a society are dealing with now. Can we in our best judgment use medical advances to help us live longer? Stem cell research has been off and on the books for years with both positive and negative effect. Could we use clones as an alternative? But then we are creating lives, people whose sole purpose is to give of themselves away so that those who are “natural” born may live just a little longer. I could not do it. It is this precious thing we call life just that, a story. It’s our story. It has a beginning, I’m currently living my middle chapters and eventually there will be an end. I dread thinking of the end because, well that’s me. I enjoy making the choices I have made whether bad or good I made them, I followed through with them and I will account for them. No one should create another living soul and then tell them what they can and cannot do. But who am I, I’m just a movie reviewer with my own thoughts. But that’s what this story is about, morality. The best of the old story telling ways, make you leave the theater thinking.

The New Mel Brooks Musical "Young Frankenstein" Makes its Center Debut

Shaun Beckerman

September 14, 2010

It’s a tricky business to take an existing property and adapt it into a completely different medium. For example, Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein, a film classic from 1976, doesn’t seem like the sort of material that would lend itself to a Broadway musical. After all, it in itself was a spoof on the conventions of horror cinema. In theory, taking material that was specifically designed for film and moving it to the stage shouldn’t be able to retain the properties that made the original so successful. And yet, somehow, Mel Brooks has managed to turn a hilarious comedic film with only one musical number into a hilarious theatrical production that is wall-to-wall music.

Now playing at the Orange County Performing Arts Center, this update somehow adheres very closely to the original film while feeling like it’s always belonged on the stage. Honestly, I think I may even prefer this version. With a never-ending barrage of fast-paced and smart dialogue, as well as masterfully timed comedic performances, gorgeous sets and inspired special effects, I didn’t miss the original film at all. That’s the sign of a successful adaptation.

When famed professor anatomy Frederick Frankenstein (it’s pronounced “Franensteen”) is called to Transylvania due to his grandfather’s death, he slowly finds himself sucked into the traditions of his family. Namely, reanimation of the dead. His grandfather was Victor Franenstein, creator of the infamous Monster, and after a show-stopping dream sequence, he begins to realize that his destiny may follow the same path. With the assistance of Igor (now pronounced “Eyegor”) and buxom lab assistant Inga, Frederick creates his own monster which quickly escapes and starts terrorizing the villagers. Frederick must now deal with the consequences of his actions, all while falling in love with Inga and dealing with his high-maintenance fiance.

Of course, when it comes to productions like this, the plot doesn’t really matter. What matters is how entertaining the whole thing is, and in this case, it’s all a lot of fun. There are several true show-stoppers in this production, but the absolute highlight is the adaption of the one song from the original, “Puttin’ on the Ritz.” This is an unbelievable showcase for the entire cast, featuring not only an amazing dance routine, but special effects unlike anything I’ve ever seen in the theater. Worth seeing for this sequence alone, this is the first musical number I’ve ever seen get it’s own standing ovation.

Expertly choreographed and performed, these routines work thanks to the amazingly talented cast. Everybody on stage seems to be having a great time, and that translates to a great time for the audience. The material is just so much fun, I can’t imagine that they’re not having as much fun as we are. The dialogue and situations are so ridiculous, it’s impossible not to be entertained. The humor comes at the audience so quick, it’s often hard to take it all in. There is a lot of very clever wordplay that goes flying out with no pause for acknowledgment before the next joke. There’s also a great deal of physical humor to accompany the verbal wit.

I loved the mixture of different types of humor. However, I have to admit that the material is really silly, and as such, occasionally might seem a little too immature for some. Personally, I found there to be a level of sophistication to the immaturity. Having said that, keep in mind that there are a lot of double entendres in this production. I’m sure most kids would love the play as a whole, and probably wouldn’t even understand a lot of this material. But I feel like I should point out that it is there if that’s an issue.

Overall, this is one of the most entertaining productions I’ve seen in a really long time. It’s not just hilarious, but features great music, outstanding performances, and perfect sets and special effects for the material. Mel Brooks has crafted the perfect follow-up for his previous smash hit “The Producers.” I can’t recommend this enough. The Orange County Performing Arts Center will be presenting this fantastic show now through September 25.

Blu-Ray Review: The Big Bang Theory Season 3

Shaun Beckerman

September 14, 2010

For the most part, I tend to watch television very analytically. It’s very rare for me to find a program that I can just let myself turn off my brain and enjoy. The Big Bang Theory, now in it’s fourth season, is one of those rare exceptions. There’s just something entertaining about this group of characters, no matter how ridiculous the stories may be. For being a show about a group of geniuses, the show can be very stupid. And yet, it’s almost always funny.

The show revolves around the interactions between four nerdy physics geniuses and Penny, the down-to-earth blonde next door. The first couple of years were spent integrating her into their circle, and by the third year, she was officially one of the group. It is in this season that she began dating Leonard, probaby the most normal of the four. Because the writers took so long getting them together, it feels natural by the time the inevitable hookup occurs. They may not have a lot in common, but their chemistry is believable.

At times, the characterizations delve into over-the-top caricatures, but they’re always grounded by their interactions with each other. All five members of the cast are hilarious, and bring their own unique sensibilities to their characters. The standout is Leonard’s roommate Sheldon, as played by Jim Parsons. He is arguably the most eccentric of the bunch, completely lacking in any and all social skills. The character is grating and obnoxious, and yet Parsons has found a way to make him likeable. Portrayed almost like a child with a genius IQ, there is an innocence behind his abrasiveness. Somehow, he makes it endearing.

The remaining cast members are Howard and Raj. While they are always a part of the main cast, their purpose seems to be providing one-liners, and occassionally having their own stories on the side. Don’t get me wrong, they are very funny as well. It just feels like they are an extension of the main cast. Shows like this always give ideosyncracies to all of it’s characters, and Howard and Raj are no exception. For example, Howard still lives with his mother, and Raj can’t speak around women unless he is drunk.

Therein lies one of my biggest problems with the show at this point. They started the joke with Raj not speaking to women in the first season. The show has already begun it’s fourth year, and they are still milking that joke. I understand that sitcoms don’t evolve their characters all that frequently, but when a defining characteristic is a punchline, the writers might want to consider trying something new. All of the characters seem to have the same quirks as when they began. They have evolved in terms of their interactions with each other, but not in terms of the humor.

Despite this, it’s still a very funny show. The constant pop-culture references always make me laugh (especiallly a still-ongoing battle between Sheldon and Wil Wheaton, playing himself). I also enjoy the catchphrases and running gags. It’s a very old-school show in terms of humor, lacking the sophistication of something like Modern Family or 30 Rock. However, in the right context, broad humor such as this can be very funny.

There aren’t many extras on the Blu-Ray set for Season 3. In fact, there are only three bonus features. There’s a gag reel, a tour of the set, and a brief question and answer session with the cast while they’re hanging out on the set. I did appreciate getting to see the actors for who they really are, and not the characters I’ve always associated them with. However, there isn’t a lot of substance.

Overall, this is a very entertaining, and very popular show. It’s just fun to watch. Every episode is practically interchangable, and yet I still find myself looking forward to it each week. There’s no need to pick up the previous seasons in order to catch up for the current year; however, if you’re just looking for a mindless but entertaining diversion, than this would be a great option.

Blu-Ray Review: Fringe Season 2

Shaun Beckerman

September 14, 2010

It’s hard to believe that Fringe started life as an X-Files wannabe, sci-fi procedural of the week. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve enjoyed the show from the beginning. But it really didn’t really feel like they were laying the groundwork for the show to become the epic experience that it is Season 2. I’m going to get into spoilers here, so if you aren’t current, than don’t read this.

So, it turns out that Fringe is a show about a secret war that is raging between multiple universes! Universes which contain alternate versions of each of us. How cool is that?! There are interviews on the Season 2 Blu-Ray release where co-creator J.J. Abrams (Lost) alleges to having this planned from the beginning, but I’m not sure I entirely believe him. The show always had an underlying mythology, but it felt like it was going somewhere smaller. I initially thought the show was going to be simply about Massive Dynamics, a corporation seemingly connected to the sci-fi craziness happening in the world around them. It seemed like there were a lot of secrets, and I was sure we were in for a lot of twists and turns. I suppose it’s the scope of those twists that caught me off guard.

In looking back, it makes sense how the current story arc relates to the original stories. It just feels different. It’s as if they went and shoe-horned in this new and improved storyline. It works, but it doesn’t necessarily feel natural. However, now that the secret is out and the audience is aware of the trans-dimensional nature of the show, the writers are given so much more to do. The majority of our three leads have very specific connections to the other world (I won’t reveal more than that), and these connections ground the over-the-top science fiction in a relatable way. In doing so, the writers have brought a level of humanity to a story that could be portrayed as nothing more than sequences and ideas.

It seems as if Season 1 served as an introduction, both to the characters and the nature of the world in which they reside. Season 2 seems to have ramped up the storytelling and mythology on a grander scale. And Season 3, which has barely begun, is hopefully going to be the year in which they are able to start paying this all off. I wouldn’t recommend jumping into Season 3 without the buildup. Season 1 has a few episodes that relate, but it doesn’t seem as important in the grand scheme. However, Season 2 is critical in establishing where the show is going. Warner Bros. has just released Season 2 on Blu-Ray, and I would highly recommend picking up the set and getting current if you aren’t already.

This is really a fantastic Blu-Ray release. As mentioned earlier, the scope of the show is just huge. Every week feels more like a movie than it does a show, especially the latter half of the season. The picture on the Blu-Ray is flawless, and really does justice to the cinematic nature of the show. The show is filled with creative and original special effects, epic stunt work, and masterful directing. At this point in the show, everything is just clicking. All departments of the production seem to be working at the top of their game, and the efforts come through on screen.

The extras on the Blu-Ray reinforce just how much creativity and effort goes into creating this show. A feature called “Analyzing the Scene” is available on several episodes, and like the name implies, provides a greater insight into the creative process behind individual sequences. Everything from costuming and makeup, to effects and stunt work are covered. There are also several commentaries, deleted scenes (or dissected files, as they’re called here), and a short feature on the props used in the show. This feature is enthusiastically hosted by series star John Noble. There’s also the requisite gag reel, and a feature running just under 30 minutes that dissects the mythology of the show in Season 2. It’s an interesting feature, but kind of pointless if you’ve actually watched the episodes. It mostly just serves as a recap of what was just seen.

The show got a slow start, and while it was never bad, it’s definitely gotten a lot better. It’s fascinating to witness the creative evolution of the show over these past couple of years. Season two is an exponential improvement over the already-entertaining Season 1. There’s still a lot of potential in this story, and if Season 3 evolves the show as much as Season 2 did, this could end up one of the all-time classics of science-fiction.

Blu-Ray Review: One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest Ultimate Collector's Edition

Shaun Beckerman

September 14, 2010

35 years ago,One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest introduced the world to R.P. McMurphy. At once hilarious, poignant, and iconically tragic, Jack Nicholson’s performances was one of the best of his career. On the surface, the story was that of an inmate doing time in an asylum for possible insanity. But in actuality, the story was about the liberation of the rest of the patients, all held back by their metaphorical shackles. There’s something incredibly exhilarating about watching this group of people, and seeing them slowly awaken to the possibilities around them.

The film was nominated for a staggering 9 Academy Awards, and took 5 of them home, including Best Picture. This is just one of those films in which everything worked. Over the years, the film has been emulated (or ripped off, depending on your point of view) by several other movies and shows. However, I’ve never seen another attempt at this story match the power of this film.

It really isn’t just Nicholson’s portrayal of McMurphy that makes this film as powerful as it is. I was surprised to see amazing performances from such well-known actors as Danny DeVito and Christopher Lloyd. However, with the exception of Nicholson, the true standout in this film is Louise Fletcher as Nurse Ratched. On the surface, she seems to have the best intentions. But underneath, you can sense the sadistic glee that she takes in asserting her dominance over the rest of the inmates. She thrives on the power that she has over them, and while it’s subtle, there is a war between her and McMurphy.

These two characters represent two extremes. He is liberated, has no structure, and lives his life however he wants. On the flip side, she is cold, calculating, and representative of authority and control. It’s a fascinating dynamic that develops throughout the film. There are several setpieces throughout the film demonstrating this dichotomy. A particular standout involves Nurse Ratched forbidding the patients from watching the World Series, only to watch in disgust as McMurphy gets all of the other patients worked up by pretending to call the game, even though while the television is off.

You can tell that everyone involved knew they were making something special. It comes through in the performances. Every character is memorable, and all the of actors give it their all. The film feels real. Part of this has to do with the fact that they filmed in a real asylum, with real patients as extras. There was some controversy as to the ethics of this decision, but it definitely adds that extra layer to the film.

The film has a fascinating history, all documented in the amazing 1997 feature “Completely Cuckoo.” The entire 86 minute feature is included on the recently released Blu-Ray, and this feature alone makes the set worth getting. This is a very honest look at all of the hardships that went into the making of the film. There were a lot of conflicts between Ken Kessey (the author of the novel on which the film is based), director Milos Forman, and Jack Nicholson. While Nicholson doesn’t appear in this documentary, there is fascinating insight from Kessey (who admits to being high on peyote while locked up himself when he wrote it), executive producer Michael Douglas, Forman, etc. Everything from script development to the actual filming itself is covered in this feature.

Also included is a 31 minute feature called “Asylum: An Empty Nest for Mentally Ill.” This feature doesn’t directly pertain to the film, but rather, is a look at real-life asylums. It’s an interesting feature, but nowhere near as compelling as “Completely Cuckoo.” Rounding out the set is the trailer, some deleted scenes, and an insightful commentary track. It’s a pretty great set of extras, but the film itself is the best reason for picking up this set. Also included are some playing cards, posters, etc., and while fun, they aren’t necessary.

Overall, I was surprised at how well the film holds up. It’s easy to see why these characters have become so iconic over the years. While the story may be simple, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is a testament to just how powerful cinema can be.

Blu-Ray Review: Seven

Shaun Beckerman

September 14, 2010

On the surface, Seven appears to be a standard murder mystery. Someone is killing people in a manner influenced by the Seven Deadly Sins. Sounds like it could be a generic episode of any number of cop shows. However, screenwriter Andrew Kevin Walker has crafted a story far more complex and intriguing than it seems. Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman star as Detectives Mills and Somerset, respectively, and it is within these two characters that the real meat of the story lies.

These are fascinating characters, thrown together by happenstance in the case of their lives. As the investigation progresses, Somerset and Mills evolve from character types into people. At first, they don’t seem to have a lot in common, but a mutual respect eventually develops. They have real conversations, which can be unusual in modern film. Pitt plays Mills as young and enthusiastic. This is in direct contrast with Morgan’s portray of Somerset. It turns out that this is going to be Somerset’s last case, and after many years of being a detective, he has developed a great deal of wisdom and insight into the ways of the world. He is a quiet man, one with an appreciation for libraries and classical music. They seem an unlikely pairing, but the dynamic of these characters lead to some fascinating conversation.

As the film progresses, they are taken to some very dark places, physically and mentally. This is not always an easy film to watch. It takes place in a city that is never given a name, but seems to have a very dark undercurrent to it. It’s apparent that Somerset has seen a lot of horrible things and is almost amused by Mill’s eagerness to find himself a part of this world. And as for the seven murders themselves, they can be VERY brutal. The film isn’t necessarily all that graphic, but it is very suggestive. In depicting the sins of sloth, envy, wrath, greed, gluttony, pride and lust, the killer is able to visually represent the worst of human nature.

Director David Fincher shoots these segments with an artists eye. While every sequence is truly horrific, they are simultaneously fascinating. I saw this movie when it first came out in 1995, and yet I still remembered each and every crime scene as I rewatched the film for this review. The details are meticulous, and designed for maximum impact. This is a film that will stay with you long after you’ve finished watching.

As the film escalates, it becomes apparent that this isn’t simply about the murders. The murders are simply devices to tell a greater story. I don’t want to get too specific for those who haven’t seen it, but this is a masterful script in the way it brings everything together. This is a film with a purpose. There isn’t a moment of wasted screen time, and it all exists in order to build to one of the best finales this genre has ever had. The last act of the film begins with them already having the killer. It is from this moment forward where Fincher is able to milke an extreme amount of suspense out of extended conversation.

I don’t want to discuss the finale anymore, out of fear of giving too much away. I will just say that it is a perfect ending to what had already been a shocking film. This was a film that really broke new ground. From the unsettling opening credits all the way to the backwards running ending credits, Fincher masterfully kept audiences on edge. Considering how played out the genre has become, I was shocked at how well the film holds up. I found myself just as hooked as the first time I saw it.

The recently released Blu-Ray is a terrific set, especially if you’ve never owned the film in any other medium. I already have the DVD relese from several years ago, and was disappointed to discover that a lot of the material was taken from that release. However, it’s all great material, and still worth watching. There are several commentaries, broken up into four categories (the stars, the story, the pictures, and the sound). There is also a fantastic nine-minute feature on the production design. The look of the film was critical in setting a mood and tone, and this is established repeatedly throughout the extras. There’s an alternate opening and a selection of extended scenes. Honestly, I’m not a fan of watching extended scenes, and I didn’t particularly enjoy any of these. In several of them, I could barely notice the difference. There’s also a fascinating analysis of the amazing and disturbing opening credit sequence, and some technical looks at audio and video mastering, color correction, etc.

Regardless of how good the extras were, I’d still be recommending this set. This film will be regarded as a classic. It is a true masterpiece of character analysis, story structure and production design. This is one of the best films of the 90’s, and a must-own for any fan of the genre.

Blu-Ray Review: Prince of Persia

Shaun Beckerman

September 14, 2010

It was only a matter of time before somebody decided to make a movie based on the videogame Prince of Persia. The source material is perfectly suited for a film adaptation with it’s compelling location and extensive mythology. While it took several years to become a reality, famed producer Jerry Bruckheimer decided to take on this ambitious project as his unofficial follow-up to the enormously successful “Pirates of the Caribbean” films. Unfortunately, the end result is rather hit-and-miss. There is a lot to admire, but there is just as much that misses the mark.

The biggest problem with the film is the script. The film looks huge, and yet the story feels small. Jake Gyllenhaal plays Dastan, an orphan who finds himself brought into royalty. As the film progresses, there are murders and betrayals, and Dastan finds himself on the run after being framed for murder. There are twists and turns in the family politics, and at times, it feels as if the screenwriters were trying to create something Shakesperean. And yet, all of these story points play out as devices. They seem to exist solely to get the characters from one point to another, and from one set-piece to the next. By fragmenting the story in this way, they lessen the impact of the whole.

Making of an Epic Battle (Bonus)

It’s very obvious that this movie exists solely for it’s setpieces and it’s concepts. For example, the most interesting aspects of the story are the sands of time. Contained within a mystical dagger, these grains of sand enable the user to travel one minute back in time. By showing the users body seperating from itself while watching the previous scene play in reverse, the filmmakers have developed a visually compelling technique in order to demonstrate what is happening.

As in all movies of this type, the filmmakers have to continually strive to top themselves from one sequence to the next. By the time we’ve reached the finale, the entire story is so over-the-top and effects heavy that the film ceases to have a soul. It becomes more like a technical exercise, and while impressive, it hinders the potential of what could have been a great story.
However, as I said, the effects are impressive. In fact, the entire production is impressive. The sets are huge, having been built on location in Morocco and within the cavernous soundstages of Pinewood Studios in London. The craftsmanship and attention to detail in these sets are astounding. I was actually surprised to learn that a lot of what I assumed to be CGI had actually been built practically.

Equally impressive are the action sequences. Dastan utilizes the art of parkour, which is described in one of the Blu-Ray bonus features as being where you “use your environment to get from Point A to Point B.” I’ve seen this used in other films, but this was the most impressive I’ve seen to date. Running up walls and leaping from rooftop to rooftop never looked like so much fun. It never feels believable, but it feels real. You can tell that these moves are actually being performed. I don’t think they could be done in the real world, but they feel realistic in this world.

The combination of stunts, action, setpieces, and special effects make this a film worth seeing. I just wish they were in the service of a better story. This is probably why I enjoyed the extras on the recently released Blu-Ray so much. Almost every aspect of the production is covered in an option called “The Sands of Time.” When this is selected, an animated dagger will periodically appear on the screen. When selected, it will take you to a behind-the-scenes vignette of that particular sequence. Watching in this way enabled me to appreciate the film on a technical level rather than focusing on my disappointment with the story.

Dagger of Time (Bonus)

There is a lot of material within this feature, covering everything from set design and construction, casting, stunts, special effects, etc. It’s a lot of material to take in, but gave a greater insight into just how ambitious this entire production was. Despite some occasionally memorable bits with character actor Alfred Molina and some semi-believable chemistry with a love interest played by British actress Gemma Arterton, the character work in this film left a lot to be desired. While it’s obvious that Gyllenhaal was having a great time in the film, his character just wasn’t that interesting. The film didn’t really come together on the page, and overall, it all felt like a rough draft in need of some fine-tuning.

DVD Review: The Black Cauldron

Shaun Beckerman

September 14, 2010

The Black Cauldron might not be the worst Disney animated film, but it was definitely the most disappointing. It’s a shame to see the wasted potential in this adaption of “The Chronicles of Prydain,” a series of children’s fantasy novels. At this point, Disney hadn’t done a whole lot of this type of fantasy. These were the stories little boys dreamed about, with disgusting monsters, magical creatures, and mythical worlds. And just to make it even more enticing, this 1985 film was rated PG for “some scary images.” I remember being a child, and that PG rating was the most enticing part of the whole film. I couldn’t wait to find out how the geniuses who had made some of my favorite movies were going to scare me. And I also remember walking out of the theater, dejected and slightly angry that they didn’t live up to their end of the deal.

It’s been 25 years since that disappointing day, and until this new DVD release came my way, I had no desire to see it again. However, when presented with the 25th Anniversary release, I found myself falling into the same trap. I mean, maybe it wasn’t as bad as I remembered. I was just a kid, and had huge expectations. Maybe if I went in with an open mind, I’d find myself really enjoying it. The back of the box even quotes Roger Ebert as saying that this is “a rip-roaring tale of swords, sorcery and magic.” That sounds right up my alley. I ended up convincing myself that this would be a great experience this time around.

And now I find myself writing this article, dejected and slightly angry. I fell for it again. In fact, it’s worse than I remember. The characters are just terrible. They are completely one-dimensional, and so generic as to inspire complete boredom even during the supposed action scenes. I’ll admit that the scenery can be pretty fantastic (in an 80’s sort of way), but the characters are bland both visually and on paper.

The “hero” of the story is Taran, a gaurdian to a magical pig named Hen Wen. As it turns out, this pig can predit the future, and the evil Horned King is (of course) desperate to catch Hen Wen for his evil schemes. You see, he is trying to locate the Black Cauldron of the title, which can turn the dead into a powerful army for evil (or whatever). Taran teams up with a generic princess names Eilonwy and a minstrel named (believe it or not) Fflewddur Fflam in order to defeat the Horned King. Oh, and of course, there’s the “super cute” comic relief creature that gets into all sorts of wacky mischief. And on and on this goes. There are dragons, and little fairy creatures and goblin looking things, and after awhile, I just couldn’t bring myself to care about any of this.

Disney usually puts together fantastic anniversary collections for their animated films, but this 25th anniversary release feels very slapped together. At this point, they must realize what a mistake the entire project was. There is a deleted scene, a still frame gallery, a couple of games for the kids, and a Donald Duck cartoon called Trick or Treat.

I expected a higher quality of extras considering that this is an anniversary release. However, I can’t work up enough enthusiasm about the film to really care one way or the other. I can’t imagine anyone being engrossed in this particular adventure, eagerly waiting to find out what’s going to happen next. I’m sure this is a large part of why the film did so poorly upon it’s initial release. This film should have worked, but even as a kid, I knew that this is sub-par Disney in every sense of the word.

Join us to say “Pharewell” to “Phantom” . . . Don’t Miss His Final Overture!

SoCalThrills Staff

September 12, 2010

Have you heard? After nearly 18 years of travelling, the “Music Box Company” National Tour of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is coming to a close, and we are honored that the producers have selected Los Angeles and the Pantages Theatre as the landmark final engagement.

With some of the most lavish sets, costumes and special effects ever to have been created for the stage, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA directed by Harold Prince traces the tragic love story of a beautiful opera singer and a young composer shamed by his physical appearance into a shadowy existence beneath the majestic Paris Opera House.

Adapted from Gaston Leroux’s classic novel of mystery and suspense, this award-winning musical has woven its magical spell over standing room audiences in more than 100 cities worldwide and is now the longest running show in Broadway history. For his final overture in Los Angeles, PHANTOM returns to the Pantages Theatre to take your breath away.

Save $10 on Selected Tickets!
Orchestra & Front Mezzanine Tickets*

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

Final Los Angeles Engagement

Pantages Theatre
September 23 – October 31

Click here to take advantage of this limited time offer
Use code SAVE10 when ordering

To order tickets or more information visit BroadwayLA.org
Pantages Theatre Box office, or call 1-800-982-ARTS

* Offer limited to Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday Evening Performances
between Sunday, September 26 – Friday, October 15, 2010 at the Pantages Theatre.
This special offer allows recipient to receive $10 off qualifying $90 and $70 tickets.
This offer is NOT valid for seating in Orchestra Rows A-Z 100/200/300s.
Subject to availability. Not valid on previously-purchase tickets. Customary Ticketmaster convenience charges apply
to all online and phone orders. This limited-time offer may be discontinued at anytime without warning.

THE GOLDEN GIRLS: 25th ANNIVERSARY COMPLETE COLLECTION

SoCalThrills Staff

September 7, 2010

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment proudly announces the highly-anticipated debut of The Golden Girls: 25th Anniversary Complete Collection, on DVD November 9. Seven years of laughter, tears, friendship and fun culminate in this limited edition 21-disc commemorative set that allows fans to relive all the great moments of one of TV’s most beloved shows in one side-splitting new collection. Packaged in a fantastic, collectible replica of Golden Girl Sophia’s wicker purse, the fabulous new release includes every hilarious DVD bonus feature from each season, and other collectibles including all-new character-themed playing cards, showcasing each of the show’s lovable, off-beat stars.

The Golden Girls, which originally aired from 1985 through 1992, follows four friends – the smart Dorothy (Beatrice Arthur), naïve Rose (Betty White), vivacious Blanche (Rue McClanahan) and sarcastic Sophia (Estelle Getty) – who move in together in Miami. Their uproarious relationships with each other and the comical men in their lives have made The Golden Girls hugely popular with fans of all ages. These four mismatched, outrageous women certainly give ‘Grandma’ a whole new meaning, keeping audiences laughing with their endearing friendships and delightful chemistry.

Releasing just in time for the holidays, The Golden Girls: 25th Anniversary Complete Collection allows the legion of fans to relive great moments including Sophia’s hysterical run-in with the Pope; Dorothy being wooed by the one-and-only Sonny Bono; Rose trying out sky-diving to snag a guy; Blanche mistaking menopause for pregnancy, and so much more! The series includes a who’s who of fantastic guest stars including Burt Reynolds, Leslie Nielsen, Merv Griffin, Alex Trebek Sonny Bono, Debbie Reynolds, Jeffrey Tambor, Peter Graves and even a young George Clooney (as a Miami cop who saves the day)!

Hilarious bonus materials include:

• Thank You For Being A Friend – A look back with The Golden Girls

• Go For The Gold Trivia Challenge

• Golden Moments – The biggest laughs collected in a hilarious compilation

• The Golden Girls Scrapbook – Each Golden Girl’s funniest moments

• Exclusive Insights And Commentaries With Bea Arthur, Rue McClanahan And Betty White

• Fashion Commentary – Joan and Melissa Rivers provide their own unique brand of fashion critique in a hilarious featurette that pays tribute to the crazy, kitschy wardrobes of The Golden Girls

All four women won Emmy® Awards for their roles – bringing the show’s Emmy® total to eleven. This made The Golden Girls one of only three sitcoms in history in which all main actors won at least one Emmy®. Betty White – who has become cultural phenomenon this year – went on to win another Emmy® for hosting Saturday Night Live in 2010. The beloved series features the talents of Marc Cherry (creator of Desperate Housewives), who served as a writer and producer.

The perfect holiday gift, The Golden Girls: 25th Anniversary Complete Collection is priced at $149.99 SRP (US) and $175.00 SRP (CAN).

Chuck: The Complete Third Season on Blu-ray

SoCalThrills Staff

September 7, 2010

The world’s nerdiest secret agent is back in the one-hour action-comedy series Chuck. Zachary Levi stars as Chuck Bartowski, the Buy More electronics store computer geek who unwittingly becomes the government’s most vital secret agent. At the end of last season, Chuck was transformed into the Intersect 2.0 after receiving another data download into his brain. This time, however, he not only knows government secrets, he is also equipped with the knowledge and coordination of deadly fight skills. Chuck finally has the potential to become a real agent. There’s just one problem — his emotions. Can Chuck keep his emotions in check as he assumes his new role as the Intersect 2.0? His handlers will still be there to protect him, but they also must help him become the agent he is destined to be.

In Season 3, there’s more spy mayhem and Buy More madness. Chuck (Zachary Levi) is still trying to balance his spy life with working at the electronics store. This wouldn’t be so hard if he also hadn’t downloaded the Intersect 2.0 into his head – while the new Intersect gives him more skills, it also may be driving him not-so-quietly insane, much to the distress of his handler and love interest Sarah Walker (Yvonne Strahovski). Meanwhile, NSA tough guy Casey (Adam Baldwin) finds himself partnered with Chuck’s fumbling best friend Morgan (Joshua Gomez) and dealing with people from his past. Brandon Routh portrays ruthless CIA agent Daniel Shaw, who takes over the operation and also has his eye on Sarah.

There’s a lot of stuff going on in this season of Chuck. There are also some pretty great guest stars – Robert Patrick and Adam Baldwin have a reunion in one episode; Scott Bakula returns as Chuck’s father; Smallville alum Kristin Kreuk pops in for a few episodes, and her first appearance also features Stone Cold Steve Austin. You really can’t go wrong with this show.

In the Blu-ray box set the four discs contain all 19 episodes, plus a deleted scene or two from most of the episodes. The other extras available are a 20 minute behind the scenes featurette in HD and should be very entertaining for fans of the series, plus an incredibly detailed 10 minute Behind the Music-style documentary focusing on the band formed by two of Chuck’s coworkers, Jefster. While the audio and video here are of good quality, some will be disappointed by the lack of a lossless audio soundtrack. While it crosses the line of fulfilling the standard expectations for a boxed set in 2010, it doesn’t go too far beyond that. While we should probably just be glad the show is returning later this month for a fourth season it’d be nice to see even more of Blu-ray’s technology put to use to bring the fans into the show.

While it doesn’t have as many bells and whistles as the first two seasons, Chuck fans won’t be disappointed by this release. People who haven’t seen the show are advised that the show itself is more than worth the blind buy. Highly recommended.

Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam Rockin’ on Blu-ray ™ Combo Pack & DVD

SoCalThrills Staff

September 7, 2010

The momentum continues for Disney’s “Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam” when Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment furthers the TV musical event of the year with the addition of two new musical numbers into the story, in Camp Rock 2 The Final Jam: Extended Edition, a Blu-ray Combo Pack & DVD, on September 7, 2010.

The premiere of “Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam” will be presented across Labor Day weekend with four event telecasts -– each celebrating music and dance with a storyline that suggests life is about the way you play. The fun for kids, tweens and families begins FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 and goes through MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 (8:00 p.m., ET/PT, each night) on Disney Channel.

The Disney Channel Original Movie stars Teen Choice Award™-winning actress and recording artist Demi Lovato (Sonny With A Chance) and the hugely popular Grammy® nominated Jonas Brothers. The highly anticipated sequel also brings back fan favorites from “Camp Rock,” 2008’s #1 cable TV movie. They are: Maria Canals-Barrera (“Wizards of Waverly Place”), Meaghan Martin (“10 Things I Hate About You”), Alyson Stoner (“Phineas and Ferb,” Step Up 3D”), Anna Maria Perez de Tagle (“Fame”), Jasmine Richards, Daniel Fathers, Roshon Fegan (Disney Channel’s upcoming “Shake it Up”) and Jordan “J” Francis. “Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam” introduces two exciting new performers, Matthew Mdot Finley and Chloe Bridges. Daniel Kash also stars.

The Extended Edition Blu-ray Combo Pack includes a behind-the-scenes introduction to the newest stars and music videos by camp rockers from around the world, a “Rock-Along” feature that allows viewers to take center stage, and more! Only the Combo Pack includes this Extended Edition in an array of formats: Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital Copy; allowing viewers the versatility to watch Camp Rock 2 The Final Jam anywhere.

Mitchie (Lovato) can’t wait to return to Camp Rock and spend the summer making new music with her friends Shane, Nate and Jason (Joe, Nick and Kevin Jonas). But the slick new camp across the lake, Camp Star, has drummed up some serious competition—featuring newcomers Luke (Finley) and Dana (Bridges). With Camp Rock’s future at stake, will Camp Star’s flashy production and over-the- top antics win the sensational battle of the bands, or will Camp Rockers prove that talent, teamwork, and spirit are what truly matter?

The music is fine for young children and teenagers, and the dance numbers are pretty impressive as well. While I’m not the intended audience for this movie I’m pretty sure that it hits the mark for those that are. This film is sure to please.

Standard DVD Bonus Features
• Rock-Along
• Extended Version of the Film – two exciting exclusive additional music sequences: “Walking
in My Shoes” and “Different Summers”

Blu-ray Exclusive Bonus Features:
Everything on the DVD, Plus…

• Getting to Know Camp Star’s Newest Stars
• Music Videos from Camp Rockers Around the World