"X-MEN: FIRST CLASS"
Blu-ray Review by Kevin Carr
MOVIE: **** (out of 5 stars)
BLU-RAY EXPERIENCE: **** (out of 5 stars)
Not too long ago, I saw someone mention on Twitter that it seems unbelievable that two of the best movies that came out this past summer were prequels that were also designed to reboot two weakened franchises. That person was talking about “X-Men: First Class” and “Rise of the Planet of the Apes.” That person was absolutely right. When both of these films were being developed, they seemed like they would have problems, but they both ended up becoming excellent installments that revitalized both the “X-Men” and the “Planet of the Apes” series.
“X-Men: First Class” did what “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” failed to do... it made the universe richer and actually gave some insight in characters we had been plenty of times in the past. The story follows young versions of Erik Lehnsherr (Michael Fassbender) and Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) as they meet up and join forces to build a community of mutants and help avert the Cuban Missile Crisis.
A lot of the weight of “X-Men: First Class” is carried by Fassbender, who delivers an extremely sympathetic performance as the would-be Magneto. After all, when you see all he goes through, it’s no wonder he grows up to do the dastardly acts he does in the first three “X-Men” movies.
Does the continuity completely work with the other films? Not really. There are plenty of gaffs in the storytelling, but that also happens in comic books that are written and drawn by a slate of different people. In the end, “X-Men: First Class” works as an origin story we didn’t know we needed (and it serves as a much better one than “Wolverine,” reminding me of the talk of a Magneto origin film before that). The action and effects are great, especially compared to that of the original “X-Men,” which is a bit dated by today’s standards.
There are some problems with the film, most of them falling on the shoulders (or maybe the breasts) of January Jones, whose vacant expression throughout the film sucks the life out of her scenes. She’s somewhat balanced by Rose Byrne, who’s a fine actress but disastrously skeletal. At least Jennifer Lawrence as the young Mystique offers a realistic body type and good acting.
The Blu-ray comes with a Digital Copy disc for portable viewing. Bonus content includes the “X Marks the Spot” embedded viewing mode, which can also be broken out into a half hour or so of featurettes. There’s also the “Cerebro: Mutant Tracker” feature which gives background on the various mutants in the “X-Men” movies. The long-form documentary “Children of the Atom” offers an in-depth look at the film. These are balanced by deleted and extended scenes and a composer’s isolated score.
"IT’S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA: THE COMPLETE SEASON 6"
Blu-ray Review
by Kevin Carr
MOVIE: ****1/2 (out of 5 stars)
BLU-RAY EXPERIENCE: **** (out of 5 stars)
I’m not easy to offend, which is why I love “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” The series has gone through some ups and downs over the years, but they seem to have hit a stride after season 5. The sixth season makes no pretense in offering character development or growth, unless that growth is disease-inducing and disgusting.
The overlying story of the season offers an open-ended question as to who got Sweet Dee pregnant. The resolution to this storyline is pounded home at the end of the season, to hilarious consequences. This season shows some bigger production value, getting the gang out of Paddy’s Pub and into various places like a new boat, a school and on a road trip.
Like previous seasons, “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia: The Complete Season 6” isn’t afraid of topical issues, and they deal with them in some of the most silly and insensitive ways. The gang takes on gay marriage, divorce, white trash, the education system, birth, death and arson. In past seasons, some episodes have been iffy, and while this year doesn’t give a season of home runs, but they’re more than base hits.
The Blu-ray comes with some great special features, especially for a later season release. There’s audio commentary on four of the twelve episodes, plus about 15 minutes of deleted and extended scenes along with w blooper reel. There’s a set-top trivia challenge game and complete video episodes of Dennis and Dee’s podcasts along with a legal advice show with the godawful lawyer Jack Kelly.
Finally, Dennis and Mac’s film effort “Lethal Weapon 5” is presented in its full unedited glory, along with in-character commentary. With “The Office” giving us “Threat Level Midnight” on their most recent season release, this seems to be the year for bad-movie-in-show bonus content, and I’m okay with that.
"THE TEMPEST"
Blu-ray Review
by Kevin Carr
MOVIE: *** (out of 5 stars)
BLU-RAY EXPERIENCE: *** (out of 5 stars)
Theatrical director Julie Taymor brings her own interpretation of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” to the big screen. She had orchestrated the play before on the stage, but now with the help of digital effects and modern filmmaking techniques, “The Tempest” gets a unique treatment in movie form.
The story set forth by Shakespeare is a mystical fantasy in which an exiled sorceress (Helen Mirren) shipwrecks her enemies with a storm. However, when the prince aboard the vessel falls in love with her daughter, the sorceress’s revenge plot becomes more complicated.
Adapting Shakespeare to the modern screen is always a challenge for several reasons. Not only have the plays been done hundreds of times in various forms, but it’s also difficult to balance the elements of theatrical acting with poetic dialogue and modern tastes. For the most part, the actors are comfortable with their lines, even for the lesser actors. Let’s face it, no one expects Helen Mirren to stumble, but you never quite know what will happen when Russell Brand sets foot in front of the camera.
The real focus of this film isn’t necessarily the characters or how they interact with each other. Rather, this is a visual film, like anything that Julie Taymor does. Similar to how “Across the Universe” painted on the canvas of the film itself, “The Tempest” achieves things that are impossible to see in a live theater performance. This makes it, at the very least, a visually stimulating and interesting film.
It’s odd to say that, I’ll admit, especially considering the original writer. Though that’s what makes this movie most intriguing. Hundreds of years ago, Shakespeare would have never imagined this story could look like Taymor’s vision. From the tempest storm itself to the visual landscape where the characters reside to the way the magic is brought to life in other areas, this is the movie’s strength.
In the end, “The Tempest” is a decent film. It’s not the best delivered Shakespeare adaptation from a character standpoint, but aside from Baz Lurhmann’s “Romeo + Juliet,” it’s unique in its visionary adaptation.
The Blu-ray comes with a director’s commentary and a music video for the film. There’s also a long-form documentary about the making of the film called “Raising The Tempest” as well as Shakespeare annotations that can be embedded into the film itself. Finally, there’s behind-the-scenes footage of the Los Angeles rehearsals and an improvised in-character riff with Russell Brand.
"PHINEAS AND FERB: THE MOVIE – ACROSS THE 2nd DIMENSION"
DVD Review
by Kevin Carr
MOVIE: **** (out of 5 stars)
DVD EXPERIENCE: *** (out of 5 stars)
“Phineas and Ferb” is easily one of the best cartoons made for children’s television today. Like Nickelodeon’s “iCarly,” “Phineas and Ferb” is the kind of series I would watch even if my children didn’t. It’s quite clever, riddled with pop culture references and exceedingly fun.
Well, the two step-brothers finally have their own movie, even though it’s not in the theaters. It was advertised this summer for broadcast on the Disney Channel, and now it’s got a DVD release. “Phineas and Ferb: The Movie – Across the 2nd Dimension” finds the step-brothers accidentally transported to another dimension. There, Doofenshmirtz is much more organized and evil, and he plans to take over the new dimension he has access too. Along the way, Perry the Platypus helps out and ends up revealing his true identity of Agent P to a very distraught Phineas.
This movie is just plain fun. It brings the kids to places bigger and better than we’ve seen on the regular show (which is really saying something since those kids get themselves into some amazing scrapes normally). It also has some nice call-backs to the shows themselves, which is a bonus for anyone who has seen a bulk of the series. In the end, it’s a great little movie with plenty of energy, in-jokes and cool storylines.
The 2-disc DVD set includes Digital Copy for the film and music tracks. Bonus content on the feature disc includes deleted scenes, a bonus “Phineas and Ferb” episode “Attack of the 50-Foot Sister” with character and creator commentary as well as sing-alongs with “Perry-oke” and “Dr. D’s Jukebox-inator.”
