iconogeek » DVD

Touch Not, Lest Ye Be Touched

Brett — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 14:34:27 +0000

Ok guys, since I am apparently the biggest dick on this site, I felt the need to review Tales of the Black Freighter before the other softees did. I don’t know if it was evident from the most recent podcast, but I was not enamored with Watchmen. It really had nothing to do with what they left out, and what they changed or any of that, it was more a fact that the movie just can’t be made with the source material provided. Now I’m not about to say I hated the movie completely because I liked nay loved certain parts. The way they Snyder altered the ending for example…better than the book. Rorschach was awesome and Jackie Earl Haley was the highlight of the whole move. In fact I agree with one of the commentors that an all-Rorschach movie would have been sick. Nonetheless, I left the theater feeling underwhelmed and under-entertained, but in reality I don’t think it could have been better, unless they made a miniseries…and at that, who knows. Now, onto the supplemental material that was released this week. As a whole, it was much better than the theatrical release. The Black Freighter story is very gritty and dark, it is certainly not for the faint at heart. Snyder and Co. left no stone unturned here and gave me exactly what I wanted…a faithful replication of the story within a story. Gerard Butler’s voice over was ominous and angered. As Chuck and I left the movie we both were wanting more of the MinuteMen back story…well you will get that here with the Under The Hood interview by the original Night Owl. It is done in such a way that it seems like you are watching a 60 Minutes-like show from the 1960s with Seiko commercials included. As such, a lot of Sally Jupiter’s story shone through here as well as the original masked vigilante Hooded Justice. When Watchmen come out on BluRay, I will rewatch both in tandem and I feel that this may change my opinion for Watchmen, even possibly raising it’s iScore for me…nah.

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Aliens+ Resident Evil+ Event Horizon= Dead Space

jason — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 21:31:38 +0000

So I had some downtime recently and I finally got around to playing and completing a couple of games. I’ll try and review some of the others ( Fable 2, Gears of War 2 and Metal Gear Solid 4) but Event Horizon came up in conversation today, and Dead Space became my first target.

Dead Space casts you as an engineer sent out on a rescue mission to find out what went wrong on a mining vessel in deep space. The game sets the story up pretty well, and its not long before you’re seperated from your team and the action begins. It’s apparent from the get go that not is all as it should be on the derilict ship. “Necromorphs” as the game refers to them (essentially the reanimated corpses of the fallen crew) are your main adversary throughout the game. They take on a variety of shapes and sizes and without exception they are all fairly grotesque. They make a great foe throughout the game, giving you a few genuine shocks and scares. In addition an interesting mechanic is implemented, wherein headshots (the defacto killshot in most games) are ineffective and the best way to take down the enemy is through dismemberment. This results in a lot of good-bloody fun.

I’d say the big star is the ship and its atmosphere. It may come accross as a bunch of greenish corridors, but the feeling of dread that the designers conveyed through graphics and sound design really make it seem if you’re in a haunted spacecraft. The designers also mix up a good variety of believable locales while still remaining within the confines of the story. The ship is in total dissaray, and when you’re not looking over your shoulder for necromorphs, you’re preoccupied with zero gravity areas, zero oxygen zones and some nicely scripted cataclysmic type events.

This was a game I couldn’t stop playing until I got to the end. For me, thats the mark I look for. Great Resident Evil-like gameplay, tense atmosphere, interesting story, fun-upgradeable weapons and gear as well as an awesome final boss fight made this one a winner in my book.

One last thing. Before I played the game I watched the set up story on dvd. Dead Space: Downfall is a full lenght animated feature that sets up your characters arrival at the beginning of the game. I love animation. I love movies. I love games. I have 2 things to say about this. (1.) It’s a good thing I got it from Netflix and didn’t buy it. (2.) It pretty much sucked. Not horrible horrible… but for me of all people… the same guy who enjoyed Deep Blue Sea to not really enjoy it, well… that’s saying something.

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DVD Tuesday (Happy Anniversary to us!)

jason — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 15:44:46 +0000

Anniversary you say? Surely this site has not been around for a year already has it? Well… no. It most definitely has not.

But that’s old school convention, and I say screw it. It is our Anniversary today because the first movie we discussed on iconogeek when it was in the theater comes out on DVD today. We have made it a full theater to home release cycle, and that my friends is something to proud of.

Alright maybe it is not that big of a deal, but seriously give me a break. It’s only Tuesday and this week feels like its 2 months long already, so let me have my little delusions.

Cloverfield -The much hyped, motion sickness inducing, nail biting, hair raising mystery dated flick that re-invigorated the monster movie genre. Even with all of the anticipation leading up to this movie, it still managed to deliver. Buy this DVD. We need more movies willing to take chances… and I don’t mean like indy-movie chances where you discuss the inner spirit or some crap like that… I mean I want more balls-out monster movies. If they make a sequel and it has bare breasts in it, I can safely say now that it will be the last movie I will ever need to see.

The Orphanage – Guillermo Del Toro produces this extremely creepy looking movie with kids talking to ghosts and random nightmare concoctions of that sort. I’ll be picking this one up this week and I’ll let you know how I feel… from what I’ve heard though I may be hiding under my bed for a week, terrified.

So, it may be awhile.

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DVD Tuesday (Directed by Uwe Boll)

jason — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 22:25:22 +0000

Well maybe it’s unfair to plague these other two releases with the ‘Boll’ moniker. However, it has been proven* that just being released to DVD the same week as an Uwe Boll movie is detrimental to video sales.

In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale – Please… someone stop him. Uwe Boll strikes again, forever dooming video game based movies to a reputation of crap. Luckily for us this 80 million dollar craptastrophe did only 3 million on the opening weekend and only 10 million or so world wide. Apparently he admitted disappointment and is saying he will stick to smaller films in the future. We can only hope. Look at the cast in this thing! How did these good people get wrapped into such a mess?

On another note he also made the ‘Postal’ movie that is to be released in May… hopefully that will be the final nail in the coffin. Also in the currently in development Postal 3 video game you will have the opportunity to kill Uwe Boll. If that’s not a selling point, I don’t know what is.

Juno – J Jonah Jameson’s daughter Kitty Pryde gets knocked up by George Michael. Michael Bluth and Sydney Bristow try to adopt the baby. If you get all of these references, you’re on the right site.

Alien vs Predator: Requiem -Aliens, Predators, Aliedators, Predaliens… apparently it’s a Christmas story.

*Proof not applicable where you live. May just be a gut feeling.

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DVD Wednesday!!??

jason — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 15:05:24 +0000

In a surprise move this week the DVD industry moved new releases to Wednesday. David Van Davidson had this to say “All of you DVD ‘fans’ who’ve been converting over to Blu-ray are ungrateful assholes. We’re moving this week’s releases to Wednesday to remind you sons of bitches that we hold the cards and to stop taking us for granted.”

I swear this is the truth and it has nothing to do with me slacking off and not posting these yesterday.

Walk Hard – Judd Apatow’s re-imagining of the Johnny Cash story. Hopefully more interesting and entertaining than the trailers I’ve seen. Maybe he’ll do the ‘shake and bake’ thing.. at least that will be good for a laugh.

There Will be Blood – One of the big contenders for pretty much every award this year. I’m sure its a great story, great acting, etc. etc… but will it be better than Doomsday?!

Lions for Lambs – Tom Cruise takes a break from speaking to aliens to bring us this story about forbidden love that will either fully unite or entirely sever the animal kingdom once and for all. At least that’s what I want it to be about… I got to the part that said starring Robert Redford and Meryl Streep and I fell asleep. When I woke up the animal kingdom thing was what I remembered from my dream.

My take.. Netflix the first two and maybe the last one if you’re desperate… even the ‘real’ critics didn’t think highly of LfL.

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DVD Tuesday..2+2=3

jason — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 18:34:17 +0000

Of the 3 posted above, 2 of these movies feature cutting (throats, edges) and 2 feature blowing* (hard, long). This is like that whole thing from geometry class where a square is always a rectangle but a rectangle is not always a square. In this case we’re talking about the relationship of things being cut, and things being total piles of suck.

Sweeney Todd - If you like Johnny Depp, meat pie, blood and singing then this is the movie you’ve been waiting for. I’m not sure why, but I really enjoyed this movie, very twisted and macabre…oh, never mind.

Alvin and the end of Jason Lee’s movie career - After this and Underdog in the same year I just cannot fathom what the extremely talented Jason Lee is thinking about when he gets involved with this crap. Oh, the non stop hookers and blow he can afford from the giant movie star paychecks… never mind again.

Cutting Edge 3! - Chuck called me last night and insisted I include this movie today. Who ever though we needed not just one ‘Cutting Edge’ but three needs to be brought to justice and face charges of ‘crimes against humanity’. I suggest they be executed by guillotine for a sense of irony.

*not in any good way you could imagine.

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DVD Tuesday… wait… just one?!

jason — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 13:45:33 +0000

So this week is pretty damn anemic. As long as I can remember I have been checking IMDB to see the latest DVD releases and never have I seen such a light Tuesday. Usually the page is populated with re-releases, director’s cuts, box sets and a few dozen things you could not possibly imagine people wanting to own. As far as I am concerned this week has The Mist. The Best of the Price is Right?! WWE Triple H: King of Kings?! Magic:Fantasy Bellydance?! (ok, maybe that last one would be worth fast forwarding through)

The Mist – Adaptation of a Stephen King story that:

A. Doesn’t suck (the Stand)
B. Is less than 20 years old ( Carrie, Cujo, Firestarter, Maximum Overdrive, Christine)
C. Actually fucks with your head the way a good Stephen King story should

Some of the Iconogeeks had seen this when it was out in the theaters and we all found it to be tense and exciting. One of those movies that you walk out of and feel like you got the crap beaten out of you (in a good way).

Edit: Just read about the DVD 2 disc edition. Apparently it includes a black and white version of the film that many people are saying is even more unsettling than the theatrically released version. I’d have to say that sounds pretty damn cool.

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DVD Tuesday (includes previously unseen footage)

jason — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 22:25:29 +0000

I am Legend -Will Smith fights off hordes of things that used to be human. Includes a new cut of the movie that a lot of people are saying pulls the movie together better. I saw this one in the theater and enjoyed it, albeit it was a bit of a downer at times.

Southland Tales – Richard Kelly of Donnie Darko fame follows up with something that is all together confusing. I saw this in the theater about 5 months ago and I still have yet to decide if I loved it or hated it.. thought it was art or crap. I guess the fact that I still think about it says something. I’ll probably buy it in hopes of figuring something out… if you have any conclusions after seeing it, please let me know so I don’t go insane.

Revolver -Guy Ritchie (check) Jason Statham (check) Ray Liotta (check) Sounds good so far eh? Made in 2005? Uh-oh. Apparently it had some trouble getting released and when it was finally in theaters a few months ago it was quickly in and out of only a handful. Need to check it out for the aforementioned reasons, I’ll let you know where it lands on my scale*.

* I have determined that my own personal scale differs than the normal, some would say ‘sane’ individual.

Normal Scale:

1star=poor
2stars=fair
3stars=good
4stars=excellent

My Scale:

1star=excellent
2stars=exceptional
3stars=mind numbingly incredible
4stars=Magical Unicorn Starship Avalanche

(I have yet to see a 4 star movie.)

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Fail. (me, not the movie)

jason — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 03:22:07 +0000

I was such a big fan of the first Appleseed and it totally slipped my mind until just now that the sequel came out today. I have failed myself, my family, my friends… excuses, I have many, an acceptable one…I have not.

The 3d and design alone of the original and the trailer for the sequel are akin to coming home to find Scarlett Johanssen and Jessica Biel making out on your bed. (if that doesn’t appeal to you head to your doctor, you may not be human.)

If you have not seen the original, go get it and it’s sequel… if you like animation, 3d, action, adventure, whatever… you’ll love it(them).

IGN has a stellar review of the new one here.

Trailer:

Forgive me.

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DVD Tuesday…it’s a good one.

jason — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 19:21:23 +0000

No Country for Old Men – According to the Academy this is the best picture of the year. I love the Coen Brothers (yes, in that way) so I’m really looking forward to picking this one up.

Hitman - Timothy the Elephant (sp?) plays Agent 47 in a movie based on a video game series. Not directed by Uwe Boll, so it actually has a chance of being something other than insta-crap™.

Bee Movie – Jerry Seinfield ! CGI from the makers of Shrek! It’s got Bees! … wait.. what? Pass.

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A Quick Review

Brett — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 01:30:40 +0000

I recently watched this installment to the Wes Anderson filmography and am providing a link to a full review by a much better writer then I ever will be.

Overall, this was a fantastic film. Anderson recieves a great deal of criticism for his lack of originality regarding plot content. Specifically, every movie involves some sort of broken family unit, but if works, I say roll with it (can I get an AMEN?!). The acting was top-notch, especially from new comer (to an Anderson flick) Adrien Brody. The three lead roles (Brody, Owen Wilson, and Jason Schwartzman) played quite harmoniously off each other, as well as with the always fantastic Angelica Houston.

As far as cinematography, this film provides some of Anderson’s typical camera work, but adds a bit of grandeur as the viewer is taken for quite a magestic ride over the gorgeous landscapes of India.

I’ll leave the plot for you to decipher for yourself, but I suggest you watch the short film Hotel Chevalier prior, which includes the stunning Natale Portman. If you bought the DVD it will give you the option to view the short prior to the full film. Interestingly, Anderson dubs this mini saga, The Darjeeling Limited: Part 1.

Imdb.com has a rating of 7.7 for this film. I’d go with the full 8/10 stars. So get your hands on this flick, and you won’t be dissappointed. Unless of course you don’t like cool stuff.

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DVD Tuesday (Unrated Director’s Cut Edition)

jason — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 16:20:07 +0000

30 Days of Night- Saw it in the theater, definitely enjoyable but somewhat depressing-bizarre ending. The whole movie makes you feel like you’re freezing your ass off.

Beowulf- Just go buy it. I mean… seriously, don’t be a fool.

The Darjeeling Limited- The latest from Wes Anderson of Rushmore/Royal Tannenbaums fame. I enjoyed his other stuff ( big shock, I know.. movies I like), hope this one follows suit.

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DVD Tuesday.. now featuring movies you actually want to see.

jason — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 16:04:35 +0000

Not a bad take this week as we’ve got some movies that you can not only enjoy, but you get to pretend like you’re cultured and deep in the process.

Michael Clayton- George Clooney in a movie about him on the phone. At least that’s what the box cover makes me think. I’ll need to see this one since I am a Clooney**fan… but he does look awfully serious.

American Gangster -Denzel Washington and Russel Crowe in a 70′s period piece about gangster Frank Lucas. Sorry Virtuosity fans, this is not a sequel.

Lust, Caution – Ang Lee’s somewhat controversial NC-17 rated WWII espionage drama. Personally I think it’s Lee’s apology to American audiences for the Hulk. And by apology I mean he gives us a bunch of sex and it will allow you to appear interested in foreign films.

** Clooney fan status does not include his portrayal of Batman.

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DVD Tuesday… don’t get too excited.

jason — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 16:32:13 +0000

Pretty crappy DVD releases this week in my estimation.

Across the Universe – if you’re a Beatles fan this is a no brainer, for the rest of us its a creatively done love story. I’ll pass.

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford – Brad Pitt stars in the most self explanatory and longest titled movie since Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan. Critically acclaimed and heavily touted as a modern day classic… don’t know, just doesn’t seem too exciting to me.

The Brave One – Jodie Foster in a revenge movie. Has Naveen Andrews from Lost in it, so that makes it noteworthy. I’d watch it on cable.

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DVD Tuesday!

jason — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 16:39:39 +0000

DVD’s coming out this week that interest us, and may interest you…

The Invasion – Starring Tom Cruise’s Ex-Beard and James Bond in a pseudo remake of the sci-fi classic Invasion of the Body Snatchers.

The Nines – because it has Ryan Reynolds, and Chuck has a ‘Big-Boy-Crush’ on him

The King of Kong: A Fist Full of Quarters – a humorous look at Steve Weibe and his trials to take the world champion of Donkey Kong title from the supremely coiffed reigning champ Billy Mitchell.

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