Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 - (Page 10) REVIEWS BLU-RAY SPOTLIGHT I THE POLAR EXPRESS PRESENTED IN 3-D Warner, Animated, $20.97 DVD, $34.99 Blu-ray, ‘G.’ Voices of Tom Hanks, Eddie Deezen, Nona Gaye. Edited by John Latchem www.homemediamagazine.com I THE MUMMY: TOMB OF THE DRAGON EMPEROR Street 12/16 Universal, Adventure, B.O. $102.3 million, $29.98 DVD, $34.98 two-DVD set, $39.98 Blu-ray, ‘PG-13’ for adventure action and violence. Stars Brendan Fraser, Jet Li, Maria Bello, John Hannah, Michelle Yeoh, Luke Ford. his 3-D version of the Christmas classic is an improvement over the standard version (which also comes on this BD-50 dual-layer disc). Many of the extended sequences truly come to life in 3-D. Four pairs of anaglyph 3-D glasses are included. The 3-D effects work best in the middle plane, as some imagery becomes slightly blurred on close-ups. As much as I prefer the clear 3-D technology offered in Imax theaters, this 3-D movie is one of the better films I’ve seen translated to Blu-ray. The movie also remains a standout for CGI on BD, as the level of detail in Santa’s suit and in the snowy North Pole workshops are extremely realistic. Warner Bros. has upgraded this version of the film from Dolby Digital to Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround sound. This bolsters the dynamic range and low-bass extension of the film. It also does a better job of bringing Alan Silvestri’s musical score to life. Aside from missing a “Polar Express Challenge” game, this BD has everything the last BD version had. This 3-D version of the movie will be a hit with kids beyond Christmas — at least – John Gaudiosi until the glasses wear out. T T hough the main setting has been relocated from Egypt to China, this third installment of the updated “Mummy” franchise isn’t much of a departure from the original two. The mummy this time around is China’s Emperor Han (Jet Li), who is cursed by a witch (Michelle Yeoh) after he betrays her lover. The script cleverly ties into Chinese mythology by explaining the curse as the origin of the famed terra cotta soldiers, described as a massive army awaiting to be reawakened by their emperor to conquer the world. The movie has all the staples of the “Mummy” series, including a drawn-out backstory and a massive battle between armies of the undead (which begs the question of how armies of the undead can actually kill each other). The loaded home video versions should satisfy fans of the franchise. Extras include some interesting deleted scenes and a lot of good behind-the-scenes footage that mostly focuses on the Chinese setting of the film. Director Rob Cohen (taking over for Stephen Sommers) uses his commentary to discuss his love of Chinese culture and history, and how his Buddhist faith influenced his conception of the film. The Blu-ray version adds to this line-up a nice trivia game that runs through the movie, picture-in-picture featurettes, and a fun “Know Your Mummy” feature that demonstrates how certain scenes are similar to previous “Mummy” movies. – John Latchem I LAST STOP FOR PAUL Prebook 12/16; Street 1/13 Victory Multimedia, Comedy, B.O. $0.01 million, $29.98 DVD, $39.98 Blu-ray, ‘PG-13’ for some drug use, sexual content and a disturbing image. A n odd mix of faux-nonfiction narrative, revisionist road trip movie and travelogue, Last Stop for Paul is enormously entertaining, consistently engaging and wildly original. Writer-director Neil Mandt and cinematographer Marc Carter pull double duty, serving as both cast and crew, playing, respectively Cliff and Charlie, two L.A. bathroom-supply salesmen. Cliff has been trying unsuccessfully to get his more reserved cubicle-mate, Charlie, to join him on one of his “famous” international jaunts. Charlie finally agrees after his best friend, Paul, passes away suddenly. The ultimate destination is Thailand’s famous Full Moon party. But Charlie has more than sight-seeing on his mind: He plans to sprinkle Paul’s ashes around the world. After hearing about Charlie’s plan, veteran traveler Cliff puts his foot down, refuses to be burdened with trying to haul Paul’s cumbersome, ornate urn around the globe, pours the ashes into a considerably more carry-on friendly thermos and they are soon off on a journey of hilarious misadventure and dazzling scenery. Mandt and Carter are comic gold, genuinely funny, with a winning rapport that serves them well as they play off amateur actors recruited on location. Last Stop for Paul is a refreshing reminder of just how much power the cinema can have when in the hands of passionate, inspired filmmakers. – David Greenberg bloody path to the cabin in the woods, where he plans to slaughter the teens Street 12/16 MTI, Horror, $24.95 DVD, ‘R’ for violence, some one by one. As the teens fight to make it out alive, sexuality and language. they slowly uncover the secret past that Stars Frank Zagarino, David “Shark” Fralick, Lou transformed Spiker from a heartbroMartin Jr., Ginger Kroll. ken man into a vengeful killer. Spiker is a typical low-budget slasher rolific cult actor Frank Zagafilm, filled with its fair share of sex rino strikes again, this time as an albino serial killer in Spiker, and gore. As horror films go, Spiker offers an original storyline which he stars in and directs. and some gruesome special His character is a silent, coldeffects that add to its chilling blooded butcher who has murappeal. dered at least 27 people, stabThe film’s young actors do bing them with train spikes and a decent job keeping the plot burying the bodies under the moving, while Zagarino really train tracks. holds the film together with While being transferred to an asylum, Spiker manages to escape into his Spiker character, who is on par with a river. Believing him to be dead, the lo- Michael Myers. A bit over the top at times, Spiker cal town returns to a normal existence. This includes a group of teenagers proves to be a frightening supernatural (three young, sex-crazed couples) who horror film reminiscent of some of the head to an abandoned cabin. Of course, classic 1970s slasher flicks audiences Spiker has already begun carving a loved so much. – Matt Miller I SPIKER P I THE DEAL Prebook 12/16; Street 1/20/09 Peace Arch, Comedy, $29.99 DVD, $34.99 Blu-ray, ‘R’ for sexual content and language. Stars William H. Macy, Meg Ryan, LL Cool J, Jason Ritter, Elliott Gould. ith an industry plagued by infighting and inflated egos, a sendup is always in order. The Deal, cowritten by and starring William H. Macy, is the latest entry into a genre that spans from classics such as Sunset Blvd. to modern hits such as Tropic Thunder. Macy plays failed producer Charlie Berns, a recluse in search of a hit. Enter his nephew, played superbly by Ritter, who has written a thoughtful script about former British prime minister Benjamin Disraeli. Berns transforms the story into W Ben Disraeli: Freedom Fighter, a ludicrous gun orgy starring action star Bobby Mason (LL Cool J), who has recently converted to Judaism. The point? To amuse the miserable Berns. Based on a book by Peter Lefcourt, The Deal’s take on Hollywood seems authentic, having been crafted by several industry veterans. More entertaining to most viewers will be the sparring between Macy and Meg Ryan as a hard-nosed studio executive who can’t help but be a little charmed by the sleezy Berns. Ryan is in all of her Sally glory here, liberated from Hollywood dreck such as The Women to play a woman who, well, helps make Hollywood dreck happen. Macy, Ryan and LL Cool J appear in a making-of featurette. – Billy Gil 10 Home Media Magazine December 14–20, 2008 http://www.homemediamagazine.com
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 Contents News News Cine Mercado Reviews Research Top 20 DVD Sellers Top 20 Rentals and Top 10 Charts Just Announced Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 (Page Cover1) Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 (Page Cover2) Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 (Page 1) Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 - Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 (Page 2) Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 - Contents (Page 3) Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 - News (Page 4) Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 - News (Page 5) Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 - News (Page 6) Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 - News (Page 7) Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 - Cine Mercado (Page 8) Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 - Cine Mercado (Page 9) Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 - Reviews (Page 10) Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 - Reviews (Page 11) Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 - Top 20 DVD Sellers (Page 12) Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 - Top 20 DVD Sellers (Page 13) Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 - Top 20 Rentals and Top 10 Charts (Page 14) Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 - Top 20 Rentals and Top 10 Charts (Page 15) Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 - Top 20 Rentals and Top 10 Charts (Page 16) Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 - Top 20 Rentals and Top 10 Charts (Page 17) Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 - Just Announced (Page 18) Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 - Just Announced (Page 19) Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 - Just Announced (Page 20) Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 - Just Announced (Page Cover3) Home Media Magazine - December 14-20, 2008 - Just Announced (Page Cover4)
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