The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) (Extended Edition) (Blu-ray/UltraViolet)

Posted on December 3, 2013 by Felix Vasquez

For a movie with the subtitle “An Unexpected Journey,” Bilbo Baggins really does get a huge notice ahead of time. In fact he has enough notice to run away from his home and let the dwarves wait at his door step. Director Peter Jackson really has his work cut out for him, as he has to adapt “The Hobbit” while also trying to remind the audience that this is connected in a large way to “Lord of the Rings.” So, he shoe horns in a cameo from Frodo Baggins, as played by Elijah Wood, and we then enter in to the rather long story afoot.

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Saturn 3 (1980) [Blu-Ray/DVD]

Posted on December 3, 2013 by Felix Vasquez

Director Stanley Donen’s “Saturn 3” is one part killer robot horror film, one part love triangle thriller, and one part Christian biblical nonsense. The couple Adam and Alex live in their own Garden of Eden and are tempted by their own snake in the grass that begin building a rift between then. Meanwhile they’re tormented by a sentient force, and have to battle a really boring killer robot that most likely wants to kill the men and marry Farrah Fawcett. I was never quite clear on what was going in the final fifteen minutes, to be honest.

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Frozen (2013)

Posted on December 2, 2013 by Felix Vasquez

After a long period of mostly comedic tales of fantasy and talking animals, it’s nice to see Disney is once again embracing its own traditions. While Pixar hasn’t dealt with many movies that involve musical numbers and princesses falling in love, Disney thankfully has gone back to the well for “Frozen.” And it’s a pretty fantastic little tale that embraces the Disney tropes while re-inventing the Disney princess imagery, as well.

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Zone Troopers (1985)

Posted on November 30, 2013 by Felix Vasquez

One thing I can say about “Zone Troopers,” is that it definitely wasn’t what I expected. Judging from the film’s poster, you’d probably go in thinking you’re going to see another “Bad Taste.” In reality, “Zone Troopers” is very much like “ET” except with soldiers in place of children. And it’s also directed like a television mini-series, with goofy fade outs, very limited violence, and colorful characters that paint this PG rated story about a group of American soldiers that befriend an abandoned alien.

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KnightRiders (1981) [Blu-Ray]

Posted on November 29, 2013 by Felix Vasquez

It’s obscene how underrated “KnightRiders” is. For a Romero movie, it’s such a departure from the norm that his fans are accustomed to, but it’s also very much a George Romero film. Not only does “KnightRider” garner much of the tropes that Romero is fond of, including the biker aesthetic, journeymen characters anti-heroes, commentaries on the monotony of domestic life, and a meshing of various races, but you can also make a great game out of spotting cast members that have been in Romero films, or will eventually be in one. Hey, there’s Joe Pilato! Look! Scott Reiniger! Patricia Tallman!

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Marvel Zombies vs. Army of Darkness (2013)

Posted on November 28, 2013 by Felix Vasquez

Marvel Entertainment thought Brian Rosenthal’s fan film was too damn excellent for anyone to see, so they wiped out this fan film from the internet faster than you can say “Necronomicon.” But for the few folks that were able to catch it, director Brian Rosenthal delivers one hell of a kick ass short fan film that previews what could be an amazing film. In an alternate reality where Marvel and Sam Raimi teamed up for a great horror action film.

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Hollywood (2007)

Posted on November 28, 2013 by Felix Vasquez

Director Christopher L. Golon’s short film “Hollywood” is a decent effort, with a keen idea of what it wants out of its short run time. It’s rough around the edges, and definitely could use a larger length, but as it stands it’s a solid attempt at a short neo-noir about the damnation of living in Hollywood.

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