Johnny Suede (1991) (DVD)

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I give “Johnny Suede” credit for being original, and unusual and surreal. Hell, if David Lynch made a musical comedy, I think this film would be it. But what’s the ultimate caveats that drag the film down into pure horrid depths? Tedium and acting. This story of a perpetually naïve young man who can’t quite understand how delusional he is in his pipe dream of becoming a huge star would have been better served had we been given a better leading man, but alas Pitt once again convinces me that he’s just not a good actor. Granted, it’s an early role, but Pitt could never convince me he’s a solid performer aside from his brief stint in “Snatch.”

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Batman Double Feature: Mask of the Phantasm/Mr. Freeze – Subzero (DVD)

On the cusp of the upcoming “The Dark Knight,” Warner Bros. has taken the two best animated Batman movies ever made, and re-packaged them together for a double feature DVD with the extras. Now I bet you’re fuming that you spent ten bucks on “Mask of the Phantasm” when you can now get it for essentially the same price but with another movie, and I don’t blame you, but I don’t have either of these movies, and for someone like me looking for a Batman fix before “The Dark Knight” juggernaut slams onto the big screens, this double feature DVD comes with convenience, and good timing. Timm did Batman like no one else did Batman, and that’s a true caveat as well.

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Persepolis (2007)

persepolisIn a world where we’re reduced to watching nothing but talking Cars preaching about pollution, and surfing penguins all for the sake of selling fast food, and action figures, it’s often very exhilarating to watch an animated film that’s about something rather than the excruciating sugary pabulum we’re force fed as film lovers and general movie goers. Even more, it’s refreshing to see an animated film that dares to challenge our views on politics and discusses misplaced man in a foreign culture. “Persepolis” has almost everything to its benefit and thankfully never pigeonholes itself as one particular genre offering, and it works so well in its favor, that it ends as an experience of discovery, rather than a simple 2D world of stark black and whites, and vibrant pastels.

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Rambo (2008)

rambo_01Speaking as someone who hates “First Blood,” and managed to completely dislike all of the subsequent “Rambo” movies, I’m surprised to say that “Rambo” or “John Rambo” isn’t a bad movie. In fact, it’s good, it’s really good. Much like the previous “Rocky Balboa,” Stallone seeks to send off his iconic character through the means of a stern and classy storyline that closes all arcs, and leaves our tragic hero with dignity and a sense of closure. How this will play with the studios who want more “Rambo” movies, one can only imagine, but for what it is, it’s a neat little farewell to a very silly action hero.

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The Kegger (2007)

6516Phil Haney is one sick fuck. And trust me, that’s an ode of respect and praise to the man who created one of the best times I’ve had with an online short movie in a while. “The Kegger” is a film that seems obvious and yet will pretty much sweep the rug out from even the most cynical viewer who thinks they’re watching an “Animal House” wannabe. Even as a darkly demented frat house romp, “The Kegger” is rather hysterical with some great acting, and hilarious gags that left me breathless.

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Justice League – The New Frontier (2008) (Two-Disc Special Edition DVD)

It was the Atomic age, it was the age of cynicism, is the age of optimism, it was the age of civil rights and feminism, yes folks, “Justice League: New Frontier” is not just a new frontier in its world, but a new frontier for the DC Animated Universe who for once approach a more adult Justice League with intellect, sophistication, and wonderful if startling glimpses at politics, racism, and military corruption. The folks behind the film vie for a more young adult approach by offering perspectives both psychological and social in these hero’s lives and dares to look behind the gods into the personalities.

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Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007)

Hollywood is a lot like that idiotic kid of yours who, no matter how much confidence you allow, just can’t do anything right. You set up some optimism, let some benefit of the doubt slip in, and there he goes disappointing you yet again until you just stare at him thinking “Can’t you do anything right?” While Paul WS Anderson is that bad influence who keeps digging his hands into your affairs and fucking it up. In one drawn out obnoxious plot device, the sexy cheerleader girl asks her humble love interest: “Now… are you looking at me or the clock?” It’s almost as if she was talking to me, and I had to answer: “The Clock… the clock. Is it over yet?”

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