WRATH OF THE TITANS
Blu-ray Review by Kevin Carr
MOVIE: *** (out of 5 stars)
BLU-RAY EXPERIENCE: ***1/2 (out of 5 stars)
As much of a fan of the original “Clash of the Titans” and its much maligned remake from 2010, I was somewhat disappointed with the new sequel “Wrath of the Titans.” On the outside, it had everything I wanted in a movie like this. There was some gritty action. There were huge CGI monsters. There were epic battles.
Unfortunately, it was a bit convoluted and silly at times... even for a movie with giant CGI monsters. The story follows Perseus, who has moved on from the events of the previous film, opting to stay on Earth and leave Mount Olympus behind. Unfortunately, the Titans (who ruled Heaven and Earth before the Gods) have decided to take back what they feel is theirs, with the help of Hades. Perseus works with Zeus and his cousin to help defeat the Titan Cronos.
I will admit that from a story and flow angle, “Wrath of the Titans” handles the conflict between the Gods and the Titans better than Tarsem’s “Immortals” from last November. But it’s the human component that has the problems. Not only does Perseus have beautiful Edward Cullen hair, he hasn’t aged a day. His main squeeze from “Clash” has changed actresses, and at least she has some guts and glory behind her. However, I’ve never been a fan of Rosamund Pike in the first place.
Still, “Wrath of the Titans” delivers on the big-budget spectacle that these movies were made for. Like it’s predecessor, “Wrath of the Titans” is a big, dumb movie that can be fun to watch. And the 3D looks immensely better than the previous film. It’s darker, sure, but it’s not bad for lazy Saturday viewing.
The Blu-ray comes in a combo pack with the DVD and Ultraviolet streaming capabilities. Leading the special features is the Warner Bros. Maximum Movie Mode, which includes embedded storyboard comparisons, picture-in-picture and focus points mini documentaries. Additional special features include a handful of deleted scenes, which are also available on the DVD.
WILFRED: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON
DVD Review by Kevin Carr
MOVIE: **** (out of 5 stars)
DVD EXPERIENCE: ** (out of 5 stars)
While I respect the hell out of FX’s programming schedule, the network is somewhat hit-or-miss for me. Some shows they’ve launched, like “Sons of Anarchy” and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” have been really good. Others, like failed attempts “Lights Out” and “Terriers,” haven’t been my cup of tea. Billed along with their popular series “Louie,” “Wilfred” goes for the edgy comedy. And I’m glad to see it’s one of the shows I really like.
Based on an Australian show, “Wilfred” brings original star Jason Gann to star with Elijah Wood. Wood plays a young lawyer named Ryan who falls into a depression after losing his job. The odd thing that brings him out is his pretty next door neighbor’s dog Wilfred. However, Ryan sees Wilfred as a real man in a dog suit instead of an actual dog, as the rest of the world sees him.
The show is off-kilter, to say the least. It’s silly and funny, but it’s also quite smart. There’s a lot of thought put into Wilfred’s antics as well as Ryan’s reaction to them. Like any good surreal series, the show refuses to be pinned down as to what exactly is happening. That’s just no the point. Ryan sees what he sees, and just as the writers head into the direction of explanation, it takes a sharp left-hand turn. This isn’t done necessarily to tease the audience but to continue the premise. In the end, if you’re looking for an explanation, you’re not watching the show for the right reason.
All 13 season one episodes are included on the DVD set, which have been titled with specific emotional themes that either Ryan or Wilfred is exploring. In a roundabout way, “Wilfred” is a series about redemption, for Ryan who has fallen into his darkest days. He is challenged by his busybody sister to stay connected to the real world, but in reality he just wants to hang out with his raunchy but loyal friend.
The first season DVD set includes a nice selection of special features. There’s a mash-up of Ryan and Wilfred’s pot-smoking scenes in “Mary Jane Mash-Up,” a slate of deleted scenes and a look at the love affair that Wilfred has with his semen-soaked stuffed bear. There’s also a nice discussion with James Gann in “Fox Movie Channel Presents Life After Film School with Jason Gann” and a look at the cast and crew during a Comic-Con panel in 2011.
LOUIE: THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON
DVD Review by Kevin Carr
MOVIE: *** (out of 5 stars)
DVD EXPERIENCE: *** (out of 5 stars)
Last year, I enjoyed watching the first season of Louis CK’s new FX series “Louie.” The guy has been through the wringer in many ways, including his stage act, his marriage, his television shows and his life in general. Like any comedian, his life is most enjoyable to watch in a sarcastic and sardonic way.
My biggest problem with the first season was how dark the show got at times. I don’t mind dark humor, but sometimes Louis CK loses the humor and just goes dark for dark’s sake. That nature is toned down a bit in this series, but it’s still there. However, when it does happen, it only does so for a small bit. Other than that, the humor is still here, even if it’s understated a bit.
This season has some bitingly funny episodes, tackling some more great topics from the comedian. There’s more depressing relationship drama with his friend Pamela, who also serves as a writer on the show. The highlights of the season (outside of the insanely politically incorrect moment with his great aunt), however, come from select cameos from people like Joan Rivers and Bob Saget. Even Dane Cook, who was the center of a comedy controversy a few years back with Louis CK, comes on the show to set the record straight.
Now that the series is a big enough hit for FX, and Louis CK has made some noise by direct-distributing his comedy to his fans, he’s been given a longer leash. That makes things work best for the comedy. It gets more daring and pushes the envelope, which has always been what Louis CK has been about.
The second season DVD includes commentary on select episodes as well as the featurette “Fox Movie Channel presents World Premiere: Louie Season 2.”
SEEKING JUSTICE
DVD Review by Kevin Carr
MOVIE: *** (out of 5 stars)
DVD EXPERIENCE: *1/2 (out of 5 stars)
Nicolas Cage is one of those actors who has become a parody of himself. However, in a strange way, it’s his biggest movies (like this year’s flop “Ghost Rider 2: Spirit of Vengeance”) that make him such a joke at times. Yet, the man still has to make movies because he’s got those whopping tax payments to take care of.
The latest in the Nicolas Cage tax-payment express is “Seeking Justice.” Starring alongside January Jones and Guy Pearce, Cage plays Will Gerard, a high school teacher whose wife (Jones) is sexually assaulted. While he is in the hospital caring for her, he meets a mysterious stranger (Pearce) who offers him a deal: Agree to do something in return, and they will “take care of” the assailant. Distraught, Will takes the bait, and his wife’s attacker is killed. Unfortunately, later on, he’s told to kill someone else. At first, Will’s told his victim is a child molester, but he soon finds out that things are not always what they seem.
With all the crazy antics of Cage in his smaller films, you expect things to go over the top quickly. However, “Seeking Justice” is surprisingly watchable. It’s not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, and things really go off the rails in the third act. However, it’s not a bad little film.
The production value is decent, along the lines of the other smaller releases that big stars find themselves in. January Jones is expectedly terrible in her acting, though Guy Pearce has some fun with his role. “Seeking Justice” is a bit forgettable at times, but it’s the kind of movie you’d stumble onto while flipping channels on a Saturday and enjoy watching.
The biggest problem the story has is its sheer unbelievability. It sets the stage for a massive conspiracy that ranges from school teachers to the cops, and someone everything always goes as planned. It’s unlikely that innocent victims will be good at assassinating anyone, no matter how bad of people they believe them to be. It’s just not in human nature to become a cold-blooded killer. There’s a reason hitmen are so expensive and a limited commodity.
Still, as far as a Cage film goes, “Seeking Justice” is better than the last couple major theatrical releases that have hit the screens.
The DVD comes with a behind-the-scenes featurette.
