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"PERCY JACKSON & THE OLYMPIANS: THE LIGHTNING THIEF" Blu-ray Review by Kevin Carr MOVIE: ***1/2 (out of 5 stars) BLU-RAY EXPERIENCE: **** (out of 5 stars) Rated PG Studio: 20th Century Fox Back to DVD Review Home |  |
WHAT IT’S ABOUT
Percy Jackson is just your average dyslexic high school kid. However, one day, he discovers that he’s far from average. When he is attacked on a field trip by a mysterious creature, he learns that he is actually the son of Poseidon, and the whole of Mount Olympus believes he has stolen Zeus’ lightning bolt. With some help from his sworn protector and another demigod who is the daughter of Athena, Percy goes on a cross-country search for magical pearls that will allow him and his friends to travel to Hades and back in order to find the stolen lightning bolt and keep peace on Olympus.
WHAT I LIKED
I’ve always enjoyed the Greek myths, and movies about them have also been something that I’ve been interested in, ever since I saw “Clash of the Titans” when I was ten. This story follows a very similar “Harry Potter” formula, in which an average kid discovers a secret world of magic. Similarly, it provides a great adventure movie for the family audience.
The effects are pretty cool, and it’s a much more American story than “Harry Potter.” However, it does deal with some real peril and situations that aren’t exactly squeaky clean, like an attack from Medusa and a real threat of danger.
But the best part about a movie like this is the effect it has on my kids. With three sons under ten, I’m always looking for age appropriate films that will also stay with them into their teenage years. The world of “Percy Jackson” fits that bill. The real test of this movie is how much they enjoy watching it, and they do, almost to a fault. Stories like “Percy Jackson” and the aforementioned “Harry Potter” series are excellent for stimulating their young imaginations, and they’re fun to watch as a grown-up as well.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
I’m not a huge fan of Chris Columbus. I’ve always thought he was a very bland director. When he started the “Harry Potter” movies, I found his work okay, but I really didn’t notice how soulless it was until I saw the later films. Similarly, I enjoyed this first installment in “Percy Jackson and the Olympians,” but I can’t wait to see what happens with the series in more capable hands.
From a story perspective, there were several moments of disconnect that didn’t sit right with me as a more mature viewer. This seems to be focused on a diversionary scene in the Lotus Casino which held little logic in the characters’ action and served as nothing more than a jazz club sequence in “Spider-Man 3”... a chance for the characters to act crazy and show some cool design elements.
BLU-RAY FEATURES
The Blu-ray comes packaged with the DVD of the film and a Digital Copy disc, which makes it a good buy for a family. On the Blu-ray itself, there’s ten deleted scenes, a “Secrets of the Gods” featurette, the “Inside Camp Half Blood” featurette and a self-quiz to discover your powers of the Greek myths. There’s also an interactive guide to the characters in the film as well as access to BD-Live content.
WHO’S GOING TO LIKE THIS MOVIE
Kids and families looking for a replacement for “Harry Potter.”
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"THE WOLFMAN: UNRATED DIRECTOR’S CUT" Blu-ray Review by Kevin Carr MOVIE: ***1/2 (out of 5 stars) BLU-RAY EXPERIENCE: **** (out of 5 stars) Rated R & Unrated Studio: Universal Back to DVD Review Home |  |
WHAT IT’S ABOUT
Joe Johnston directs this remake of the classic 1941 Universal monster movie. This version takes place about a hundred years ago in England as Lawrence Talbot returns to his family estate to bury his brother, who was mysteriously and brutally murdered. During his investigation, Lawrence is bitten by a werewolf and becomes a murdering beast himself when the moon is full.
WHAT I LIKED
The “Wolfman” films were some of my favorite of the classic Universal monster movies of the 40s, and I always felt a level of empathy with Lawrence Talbot. Because of this, I was holding out hopes for the film. When I saw the movie in the theaters, I was disappointed with a lot of the story, but fortunately some of that is remedied by the longer introduction to the director’s cut.
We are given more backstory to Talbot and the motivations behind his actions. Sure, it doesn’t get to the violent moments as quickly, the but slower burn of the director’s cut is definitely worth watching.
The best part of the film, however, remains the werewolf scenes. Here’s where it shines. The movie keeps the traditional look of the Wolfman and uses a mixture of practical effects and digital wizardry. The bottom line with this movie is that I enjoyed it as a kick-ass and gory werewolf movie, and the wolf-on-wolf climax at the end is worth the wait.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
It’s odd to say this, but the biggest problems with “The Wolfman” come from the cast. Benicio Del Toro phones in his lines and stumbles through the movie, giving us as lackluster of a performance as he did in “The Usual Suspects.” Similarly, Emily Blunt is utterly wasted in the film. She could have been completely left on the cutting room floor, and we’d have the same film. Even Anthony Hopkins, who plays Talbot’s father, just goes through the motions. In fact, the only saving grace of the cast is Hugo Weaving as the inspector searching for the truth behind the murders.
BLU-RAY FEATURES
The Blu-ray includes a nice allotment of features. There’s deleted and extended scenes, including two alternate endings. Additionally, we have some featurettes (“Return of The Wolfman” and “The Beast Maker”) that show how the special effects brought the creature to life.
Unique to the Blu-ray is the U-Control feature that include picture-in-picture behind the scenes about the special effects of Rick Baker and the “Legacy, Legend and Lore” of werewolves.
Probably one of the best features of this Blu-ray is access to BD-Live, which allows you to watch the original “The Wolf Man” on your player, your smart phone or your computer.
WHO’S GOING TO LIKE THIS MOVIE
People like me who just want to watch some kick-ass werewolf action.
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"THE WARLORDS" Blu-ray Review by Kevin Carr MOVIE: *** (out of 5 stars) BLU-RAY EXPERIENCE: *** (out of 5 stars) Rated R Studio: Magnet Back to DVD Review Home |  |
WHAT IT’S ABOUT
Jet Li stars in this epic story in the middle of the Taiping Rebellion of the 1860s in China. After surviving a brutal massacre, General Pang (Li) joins some bandits, become blood brothers and fight the oppressive army. However, as their power grows, so does their political discontent, which puts them and their positions in danger.
WHAT I LIKED
Hands down, the best part of “The Warlords” is the incredible epic feel to it. This film has real scope, showing fantastic battle sequences that rival Hollywood films like “Braveheart.” Jet Li expands his image from just a standard martial arts star (at least his American image) by becoming a more seasoned hero.
There are plenty of historical action films that are awesome to watch, and “The Warlords” falls in that category. Even if you’re not into the story, which tends to be a bit rote at times, any viewer can enjoy the scope of this movie.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
Being a relatively sheltered American, I just don’t have the historical knowledge to give me a background for this film. I imaging that the Chinese audience could appreciate this film better from a story perspective. Otherwise, for me, it seems to be just a lot of fighting that eventually leads to corruption
Outside of the three “blood brothers” who make the focus of the film, there are plenty of other characters, and I tended to lose track of them at times. Still, the film runs less than two hours and didn’t fail to keep my interest.
BLU-RAY FEATURES
The Blu-ray includes deleted scenes and some lengthy and in-depth behind-the-scenes features. Unfortunately, most of the bonus material is in Chinese. While subtitled, it can be a bit of a burden to watch. For those willing to sit through these, you have the multi-part “Making of The Warlords” featurettes, a 117-day production journal and “The Warlords: Behind the Scenes Special.” There is also the international trailer and one English-language featurette from HDNet: “A Look at The Warlords.”
WHO’S GOING TO LIKE THIS MOVIE
People who love movies about epic military battles.
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"THE ECLIPSE" Blu-ray Review by Kevin Carr MOVIE: ** (out of 5 stars) BLU-RAY EXPERIENCE: ** (out of 5 stars) Rated R Studio: Magnolia Back to DVD Review Home |  |
WHAT IT’S ABOUT
Conor McPherson directs this unconventional Irish ghost story about Michael Farr (Ciaran Hinds) who is trying to raise his kids after his wife died. After hearing strange noises in his house, he finds himself crossing paths with Lena Morelle (Iben Hjejle), a writer of the paranormal, whom he meets at a literary festival. Michael confides in Lena, and she tries to help him come to terms with the situation, but their relationship is challenged by a smarmy American writer (Aidan Quinn) whose jealousy for Lena becomes dangerous.
WHAT I LIKED
Let me start by saying that I respect what was attempted with “The Eclipse.” It reminds me of another ghost story I saw recently called “100 Feet,” in which the characters took a different path around the traditional haunting. “The Eclipse” takes a different approach, going as far to make the supernatural element of the story somewhat mundane in comparison to the human drama.
The cinematography is crisp and looks great in the film, and the performances are subdued but very well acted. Hinds elicits a high degree of sympathy, and Quinn plays the bad guy incredibly well.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
While I do respect the unconventional approach to this ghost story, I wasn’t a huge fan of that. Too often, the supernatural element is suppressed for a relationship drama. Every time there is an eerie moment, and I start to get interested in the internal conflict of Michael, we are brought back to the love triangle, which wasn’t the most interesting focus for me.
Still, when the ghost story moments are in the forefront, the film does manage a strong and creepy sense of foreboding. I just wished that would have been the focus from beginning to end.
BLU-RAY FEATURES
The Blu-ray comes with a “Making of The Eclipse” featuertte as well as a spot from HDNet: “A Look at The Eclipse.”
WHO’S GOING TO LIKE THIS MOVIE
Someone looking for a different take on the traditional ghost story.
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"LEAP YEAR" Blu-ray Review by Kevin Carr MOVIE: ** (out of 5 stars) BLU-RAY EXPERIENCE: ** (out of 5 stars) Rated PG Studio: Universal Back to DVD Review Home |  |
WHAT IT’S ABOUT
Amy Adams plays a woman who desperately hopes to get married. When her four-year anniversary with her boyfriend approaches, she latches onto an old Irish tradition in which the woman can propose to the man on Leap Day. She travels to Ireland to find her boyfriend, but storms land her on the other side of the Emerald Isle. A local pub owner (Matthew Goode) agrees to escort her to Dublin so she can propose, but they don’t plan on falling in love.
WHAT I LIKED
There are several elements to this movie that seem to be better quality than the movie itself. The first is the obvious: Amy Adams. As charming of an actress as she is, Adams seems to be just slumming it to make a less-than-average romantic comedy. Perhaps she just wanted the all-expense-paid trip to Ireland, which leads to the second positive element...
The backdrop of “Leap Year” is brilliant. You’ll see some of the best cinematography of Ireland in this film, which almost makes it worth a look on high definition. Truly breathtaking scenery.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
In so many ways, this film reminds me of “Made of Honor” which came out about two years ago. It’s got decent actors in it, and it takes place in one of the most beautiful places on Earth. But the story and characters just aren’t anything to write home about.
I like a good romantic comedy, but this one seemed forced when it could have been unique. But every time it broke the romantic comedy mold and tried something different, it felt awkward. Both Goode and Adams are fine actors that really deserved a better script.
BLU-RAY FEATURES
The Blu-ray comes with deleted scenes and access to BD-Live
WHO’S GOING TO LIKE THIS MOVIE
Romantic comedy lovers and people who just love the Irish countryside in movies.
