Thursday, May 29, 2014

[DVD] Tuesdays with Mell 5/20/2014 The Monuments Men, Vampire Academy, Pompeii, McCanick


The Monuments Men2014 PG-13 War


Director
George Clooney

Plot: In a race against time, a crew of art historians and museum curators unite to recover renowned works of art stolen by Nazis before Hitler destroys them. Written, directed and starring George Clooney.Trailer
Review: Some say this film is this year's Argo. An ensemble period piece about getting art instead of people out from behind enemy lines sounds more like Ocean's 11 than it does Argo, especially since the trailer lends itself to more comedy than drama. We will see. I'm intrigued. 
Rating: TBD
Watch with: Syria, Valkyrie

Vampire Academy2014 PG-13 dark comedy


Director
Mark Waters

Plot: At St. Vladimir's Academy, Rose Hathaway learns to navigate life as a dhampir, a half-human vampire, and prepares to become a leader of the Moroi. But outside the walls of St. Vlad's lurk the Strigoi, the Moroi's vicious immortal enemies. Trailer
Review: So I still like vampires and dark comedies. It seems like a writer & director match made in heaven. I also love Zoe Deutch, daughter of Switched at Birth star  and think she's a talented newcomer that I'm happy to see in a lead role. I'm glad the studio took a chance on a newcomer in a lead. Let's hope she can rise to expectations.
Rating: TBD
Watch with: Heathers and Mean Girls

Pompeii2014 PG-13 Adventure
Director
Paul W.S. Anderson
Plot: 
In the days leading up to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, a slave on a ship headed for Naples is determined to get back home to save the woman he loves, as well as his best friend, who is a gladiator trapped in the city's coliseum. Trailer

Review: 
Honestly this movie looks like drivel. Other than the lead, Harrington, none of these actors look the part. It looks like all special effects no substance. I only put this on here cuz it's a new movie that briefly was in theaters. So there you go. The info that this is now on video. I will most likely only watch this if it somehow gets awards nominations including a Razzie, which would be my bet. 

Rating: TBD

Watch with: The Immortals, 300 Rise of an Empire

2013 R Crime Drama

Director
Josh C. Waller

Plot; In his last part before his untimely death in 2013, Cory Monteith plays a small but pivotal role as a teenage criminal whose early release from prison triggers a wave of paranoia for the obsessive cop who put him away. Trailer

Review: It's going to be surreal to say the least to watch Cory Montieth in his final film especially considering the subject of this film and the way he died. Hopefully this film will touch someone and help them see the destruction of addiction and maybe make people have a bit more understanding of this debilitating disease. 

Rating: TBD

Watch WITH: Blow, Requiem for A Dream, Rachel Getting Married

In Secret2013 R Period Drama

Director
Charlie Stratton

Plot: Trapped in a loveless marriage to her insufferable cousin, Therese Raquin seeks solace in the arms of the attentive Laurent LeClaire. But her quest for happiness may lead to tragedy in this big-screen adaptation of Emile Zola's classic novel. Trailer

Review: This film looks different from a lot of these affair gone wrong films. It has an air of mystery about it. I must say though how gross it is to watch period pieces where first cousins marry. Perhaps that will make it easier to watch infidelity happen on screen since it's abomination for them to be married in the first place. I guess it's good thing Felton's character doesn't wanna seem to get it on. Otherwise here comes the 2-headed monkey babies with webbed feet.

Rating: TBD

Watch with: Anna Karenina

The Right Kind of Wrong2013 R Romantic Comedy

Director
Jeremiah S. Chechik

Plot: When your ex-wife pens a blog about you called "Why You Suck," getting people to believe otherwise is an uphill battle. Which is precisely the dilemma writer/dreamer/dishwasher Leo faces when he meets the girl of his dreams -- on her wedding day. Trailer

Review: It makes me twinge to think that this premise can actually be considered romantic. If the 2 people get together it will be because she broke a vow. She's already married. How can you be with someone knowing they cheated on their spouse. Is that a rock solid foundation for marriage number 2? I'm watching this because it's a unique if not depressing premise that I'm curious to see played out on screen. Oh, and I like Ryan Kwanten. I've only seen him on TV shows: Tru Blood & Summerland and hope he can carry a film.

Rating: TBD

Watch with: My Best Friend's Wedding

Raze2014 R Thriller

Director
Josh C. Waller

Plot: After a secret society abducts her, Sabrina becomes one of dozens of women forced to engage in a mysterious and gruesome tournament in which the participants brutally battle each other for their lives in order to entertain a hidden audience. Trailer

Review: Another Josh C. Waller film out this week. Very different from McCanick in subject matter. It'll be interesting to see if there are stylistic similarities with the direction even with a different genre. Please refrain from The Hunger Games rip off comments. If anything, this is more like Death Race, Gamer, or The Condemned, which all came out before The Hunger Games books were even written. Some good actresses here: Fenn & Nichols. The premise of this seems more intriguing then Death Race or The Condemned but lessso than Gamer. 

Rating: TBD

Watch with: Gamer



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