Hi.
This is Jeff Bayer, and I don't update this site very often. If you'd like to listen to my current movie podcast you can find it at MovieBS.com.
This is Jeff Bayer, and I don't update this site very often. If you'd like to listen to my current movie podcast you can find it at MovieBS.com.
All in DVD Reviews
DVD Review Galaxy Quest
Directed by: Dean Parisot Cast: Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, Tony Shalhoub, Sam Rockwell, Daryl Mitchell Running Time: 1 hr. 41 mins. Rating: PG Release Date: May 12, 2009
Plot: "Galaxy Quest" is pretty much the TV show "Star Trek." Got it? Well, many years after the "Galaxy Quest" TV show, the frustrated actors are stuck doing sci-fi conventions. Suddenly, an interstellar race mistakes the show for "historical documents" and takes the actors to space to save the day.
Who's It For? Trekkers should appreciate this film, because even though at first it looks like it's just making fun, it's embracing the fandom. And this is a nice family movie to give your kids a taste of sci-fi comedy.
Movie: I got to be honest
DVD Review The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button (Two-Disc Special Edition)
Directed by: David Fincher Cast: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Taraji P. Henson, Julia Ormond Running Time: 2 hrs 45 mins Rating: PG-13 Release Date: May 5, 2009
Plot: The story of a man (Pitt) who ages backwards.
Who's It For? Any person who has felt the joy of love and the (very-human) loss of it could experience this film and identify with the not-so-odd life of Benjamin Button. Those who are deterred by the film's length are only cheating themselves out of making a special new friend.
Movie: Benjamin Button's story reminds us that the most basic human beings are extraordinary. But as a film, its existence rightfully disagrees with this truth. This is a movie that is more
DVD Review Notorious
Directed by: George Tillman, Jr. Cast: Jamal Woolard, Derek Luke, Angela Bassett Running Time: Theatrical Version- 2 hrs, 3 mins, Director's Cut - 2 hrs 9 mins Rating: R Due out: April 21st
Plot: The life of rapper Christopher Wallace (Jamal Woolard), famously known as Biggie Smalls, a.k.a The Notorious B.I.G.
Who's It For? This movie was made for all, but it cares most about pleasing the fans. Outsiders might fall behind at the introduction of characters or events that are skirted through - that or become even more aware of the film's typicalness.
Movie: Notorious hip-hops from one event to the next, all with the overall feel of a movie that is birthed by the ground of which it dies (Vh1). Key moments of Biggie's life seem to be told with cheesy imagination - not
DVD Review The Wrestler
Directed by: Darren Aronofsky Cast: Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood Running Time: 1 hr 45 mins Rating: R
Plot: Randy “The Ram” Robinson (Mickey Rourke) was a wrestling legend in the 80s, but now after 20 years, Randy is still holding on to the spotlight. He’s stuck wrestling in school gyms and small venues, just scraping by in life. When he’s hit with a heart problem, Randy looks around at his life and sees a stripper (Tomei) and an estranged daughter (Wood) and that’s it.
Who's It For? This is a character study, with Rourke in almost every shot. It isn’t completely necessary but it sure does help if you watched wrestling in your lifetime or at least banged your head to
DVD Review Doubt
Directed by: John Patrick Shanley Cast: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, Viola Davis Running Time: 100 mins Rating: PG-13 Release date: April 7th
Plot: Based on his own play, John Patrick Shanley writes and directs a film about a Bronx parish in the 1960’s that faces inner turmoil when a respected priest’s (Hoffman) good nature is questioned by two nuns (Streep and Adams).
Who's It For? Those willing to experience a slowly paced, dramatic exploration into universal themes like leadership as told in a setting timely to the church’s own problems in recent years.
Movie: An effective script can only go so far to distract from convenient performances and faulty directing. John Patrick Shanley guides a very talented cast through a clunky adaptation, but is still able to let his powerful themes resonate in
DVD Review Slumdog Millionaire
Directed by: Danny Boyle Cast: Dev Patel, Freida Pinto, Madhur Mittal, Irfan Khan Running Time: 1 hr 50 mins Rating: PG-13 Release date: 3/31/09
Plot: It’s the potential of rags to riches as a slumdog (poor Indian boy played by Patel) must answer questions while on India’s own “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.” Each question somehow relates to a moment in his past mainly involving his older brother (Mittal) and a girl (Pinto) who he believes is the love of his life.
Who’s It For? This is the most accessible, mainstream Indian film (yes, it’s Indian even though a English man directed it) I have seen. The only thing Bollywood about it is all the vibrant colors and a slightly odd musical number at
DVD Review Quantum of Solace
Directed by: Marc Forster Cast: Daniel Craig, Olga Kurylenko, Judi Dench, Mathieu Amalric, Jeffrey Wright Running Time: 1 hr 40 mins Rating: PG-13
Plot: James Bond (Daniel Craig) picks up right where he left off … kicking arse. Still seeking revenge for the death of his true love Vesper (who betrayed him), Bond encounters Dominic Greene (Mathieu Amalric), an environmentalist who has sinister motives.
Who’s It For? Action fans will flock. No romance this time … and if all you care about is gadgets and villains … take a deep breath, you aren’t getting your fill here.
Movie: How can we care? Heavy on action, but still light on what made the Bond films truly tick. There are no memorable gadgets, no super villains
DVD Review Marley & Me
Directed by: David Frankel Cast: Owen Wilson, Jennifer Anniston, Eric Dane, Alan Arkin Running Time: 2 hrs and 3 mins Rating: PG
Plot: A couple's life completely changes when an excited, naughty puppy enters their life. John (Wilson) eventually finds his voice at a newspaper when he starts talking about his dog, Marley. Based on the best-selling book by John Grogan.
Who's It For? Wait for it, wait for it ... This one is for the dogs. Zing!
Movie: Wilson is a perfectly cast, mild mannered man, which is saying a lot because of his previous high intensity comedic characters in his past. At the center, this is all about a man's relationship with his dog. They don't oversell the cute, and they move
DVD Review Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Furious Five
Directed by: Raman Hui Cast (voice): Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman Time: 30 min for the movie, 60 + min for the extras Rating: PG
Plot: Master Shifu asks Po to teach a group of youngsters that Kung Fu isn’t just about kicking butt and taking names. To illustrate the point, Po tells the kids the story behind Mantis, Crane, Tigress, Viper, and Monkey.
Who’s It For? If you’re younger than 13, you should be a fan of the original Kung Fu Panda, otherwise you’ll probably be bored. However, this DVD is phenomenal for children.
Movie: The animation is as wonderful as it was in the original KFP (Kung Fu Panda for the cool kids) with all the back-story and
DVD Review To Catch A Thief - 2-Disc Centennial Collection
Directed by: Alfred Hitchcock Cast: Cary Grant, Grace Kelly, Jessie Royce Landis, John Williams Running Time: 1 hr 46 mins Rating: Not Rated Due out: 3/24/09
Plot: A reformed jewel thief (Grant) must find out who is behind robberies similar to his old style before he is pinned with the crimes themselves.
Who's It For? Lovers of Hitchcock and Cary Grant fans - but if you're either of those, you've probably already seen this.
Movie: There's nothing like a good Hitchcock film, especially with an iconic coupling like Cary Grant and Grace Kelly. The action here is exciting. It's fun, intelligent fare from a director more than capable of giving us a wonderful, twisting tour of the French Riviera. This
DVD Review The Odd Couple: Centennial Collection - 2 Disc
Directed by: Gene Saks Cast: Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau Running Time: 1 hr 45 mins Rating: G Due out: 3/24/09
Plot: Based on Neil Simon's award winning play, Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau are Felix and Oscar, two best friends who decide to live with each other out of necessity. Hilarious chaos ensues when their radically different lifestyles begin to drive each other crazy.
Who's It For? Fans of comedies and overall great films. This re-release of The Odd Couple will invite and re-invite viewers into the famous filthy apartment co-habitated by the neurotic Felix and the disgusting Oscar.
Movie: The chemistry of Lemmon and Matthau has prevailed in other movies, but here it's easy to see why this is
I Love the 80's has released another bevy of must-have films. These aren't the end-all be-all perfect editions of films that are loaded with extras ... These are the DVDs you put in your basket while you are in the check out line. You don't have to give much thought (or much money) and you know you've made the right decision. And as an added bonus, most have a CD with songs by a-ha, Echo & the Bunnymen, INXS and more. Here's a handful of selections from the new, available titles. Coming to America Starring: Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, James Earl Jones
Movie: Is Eddie Murphy the biggest star from the 80's? I know it's hard to think about now, with his less than stellar movie choices over the past 15 years. But
DVD Review National Lampoon's Stoned Age
Directed by: Adam Rifkin Cast: Adam Rifkin, Ali Larter, Talia Shire, Hayes MacArthur, Gary Busey Running Time: 1 hr 28 mins Rating: Not Rated
Plot: Follow the exploits and conflicts of brainy caveman, Ishbo, (Adam Rifkin) as he seeks the love of his life Fardart (Ali Larter). Unfortunately, Fardart is already spoken for by Ishbo's older, stronger, caveman brother (Hayes MacArthur). Ishbo struggles to advance the human race through his inventions and by keeping his tribe safe from rival tribes.
Who's It For? College guys bored after a night of drinking or relatives of the actors in the movie.
Movie: Adam Rifkin directs, writes, and stars in this slow moving comedy that will leave you asking for your money back. You might think a movie with
High School Musical 3: Senior Year: 2 Disc Disney DVD with Digital Copy Directed by: Kenny Ortega Cast: Zac Efron, Vanessa Anne Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Lucas Grabeel, Corbin Bleu, Monique Coleman Time: 1 hr 45 mins Rating: G
Plot: It’s senior year at East High School, and the original gang from High School Musical 1 and 2 come together to create one last musical before graduation and inevitable adulthood (hang on, kids! Don’t do it!).
Who’s It For? Anyone who likes musicals, anyone who has kids, or even anyone with a soul. Vampires need not apply.
Movie: This movie is delirious and giddy and I welcome any film that keeps the modern musical alive. The songs are fast and snappy, the dance sequences are wonderful, and the actors are all very talented people. High School Musical 3
Funny Face: Centennial Collection — 2-Disc Directed by: Stanley Donen Cast: Audrey Hepburn, Fred Astaire, Kay Thompson Time: 1 hr 30 min Rating: Not Rated
Plot: While looking for the new, fresh face of Quality Magazine, a photographer (Astaire) and the magazine’s publisher (Thompson) discover a hidden beauty in a reticent bookstore clerk (Hepburn).
Who’s It For? Anyone who loves Gershwin musicals and Audrey Hepburn fanatics.
Movie: It’s Audrey Hepburn, folks—you could roll her in grime and dip her in dirty feathers and she’d still be an unrivaled phenomenon. And if that wasn’t enough, her charisma in this film is off the charts. She is daring and sweet and absolutely fearless: watching Hepburn contort and boogie her way through a strange, modern dance routine in a smoky Parisian café is absolutely astounding; I cannot picture any movie
Brideshead Revisited Directed by: Julian Jarrold Cast: Matthew Goode, Hayley Atwell, Emma Thompson, Michael Gambon Running Time: 2 hr 10 min Rating: PG-13
Plot: Middle class Charles Ryder (Goode) befriends Sebastian Marchmain (Whishaw), son of a titled family who owns the titular Brideshead. After visiting Brideshead, he becomes enamored with the family, particularly Julia (Atwell), Sebastian's beautiful sister. But Lady Marchmain (Thompson) believes her daughter isn't right for the unaristocratic, athiest Charles so they marry other people. But Charles is tied to the Marchmain family for life.
Who's It For? The film's a period piece but more E. M. Forester than Jane Austen. It's fairly subtle and pretty deeply dependent on the English class system for it's storyline so it would help to know a little about that. The film rewards patience, I felt it was going