Boardwalk Empire The Complete First Season
Blu-ray l DVD
CREATOR: Terence Winter
DIRECTORS: Martin Scorsese, Timothy Van Patten, Allen Coulter, Jeremy Podeswa, Alan Taylor, Brian Kirk, Brad Anderson, Simon Cellan-Jones
WRITERS: Terence Winter, Lawrence Konner, Margaret Nagle, Timothy Van Patten, Howard Korder, Paul Simms, Meg Jackson, Steve Kornacki
STARRING: Steve Buscemi, Michael Pitt, Kelly Macdonald, Michael Shannon, Shea Whigham, Aleksa Palladino, Michael Stuhlbarg, Stephen Graham, Vincent Piazza, Gretchen Mol, Paz de la Huerta, Michael Kenneth Williams, Dabney Coleman
HBO Studios
RELEASE DATE: January 10, 2012

TV has evolved to exciting heights with the arrival and ever-thriving world of no-restriction shows. Shows that are on pay cable channels and can be as gritty and realistic as necessary to tell their stories, often times getting away with more than most movies can even get away with.

We the TV-viewing audience are in love with these types of shows, and though there are many great options out there on various channels, no one does them quite like HBO. [...]

Jackass 3
Netflix Streaming
DVD | Blu-Ray
Directed by Jeff Tremaine
Starring Johnny Knoxville, Bam Margera, Steve-O, Ryan Dunn, Wee Man, Mike Judge
Paramount Pictures
Originally Released: October 15, 2010

More than once I questioned why the hell I was viewing Jackass 3. Of course I’m familiar with the television series, though I’ve never really identified myself as being a part of the cult fan-base of the Jackass collective. Having said that though, Jackass 3 is a humorous detour from the usual suspects to be found on Netflix Streaming, with some excellent cinematography in places – though be warned: there are many numerous scenes with intent to disgust [...]

The Next Three Days
Netflix Streaming
DVD | Blu-Ray
Written and Directed by Paul Haggis
Starring Russell Crowe, Elizabeth Banks, Brian Dennehy, Lennie James, Olivia Wilde, Ty Simpkins, Helen Carey
Lionsgate
Originally Released: November 9, 2010

Though slow to begin with, Paul Haggis’ The Next Three Days is a suspenseful prison-break story that accelerates its pace as the movie progresses, delivering climactic scenes that will quite literally keep you on the edge of your seat. Companioned with excellent performances from the main cast, as well as a few attention-grabbing supporting and cameo roles, the film is a surprising and breathtaking adventure [...]

Godzilla
DVD | Blu-ray
Directed by Ishiro Honda
Starring Takashi Shimura
The Criterion Collection
Release date: January 24, 2012

Yes. Throughout their history, The Criterion Collection has been the bastion of the purest of pure arthouse and intellectual cinema. Be it their presence on home video, giving the world class A copies of classics like The Seven Samurai or the greatest film ever made, a.k.a. Godard’s Breathless or their theatrical releases by backers Janus Film, who helped singlehandedly created the arthouse format. However, never let it be said that even they don’t like themselves a few genre films [...]

Belle De Jour
DVD | Blu-ray
Directed by Luis Bunuel
Starring Catherine Deneuve, Michel Piccoli, Genevieve Page
The Criterion Collection
Release date: January 17, 2012

When digging through the history of film, very few filmmakers had quite the career of one Luis Bunuel. The surrealist icon first started in the short film medium (giving the world classics like Un Chien Andalou) only to get behind some of the most intriguing pictures of his generation, none of the cult auteur’s canon may be quite as beloved as his fantastical Belle De Jour.

Featuring Bunuel’s patented themes of human desire and pleasure, Belle feels like the physical manifestation of each and every single aspect of the surrealist belief structure, all in the guise of one of the most beautiful and complex pieces of narrative from one of film’s most interesting directors [...]

True Grit
Netflix Streaming
DVD | Blu-Ray
Written and Directed by Joel Coen and Ethan Coen
Based on True Grit by Charles Portis
Starring Jeff Bridges, Hailee Steinfeld, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, Barry Pepper
Paramount Pictures
Originally Released: December 22, 2010

The 2010 adaptation of True Grit by the Coen Brothers is a masterwork of modern filmmaking that handles the original source material with reverence and justice. Accompanied by a cast that collectively puts in stellar and memorable performances, and coupled with some breathtaking camerawork, True Grit is a must-see film. [...]

Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory
Coming to DVD
Directed by Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky
Starring Jessie Misskelley, Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, Stevie Branch, Christopher Byers, Michael Moore, Lorri Davis, Mark Byers, Terry Hobbs, Burk Sauls, Dale Griffis, Natalie Maines, Joe Berlinger, Bruce Sinofsky
HBO
Aired: January 12, 2012

The new documentary, Paradise Lost: Purgatory, third in the Paradise Lost series, attains a sense of closure in the case of the West Memphis Three. Recalling and reprising events from the previous two documentaries, filmmakers Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky also follow the developments of the preceding ten years, leading up to the release of Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelley in 2011. [...]

Four Lions
Netflix Streaming
DVD | Blu-Ray
Directed by Chris Morris
Starring Riz Ahmed, Kayvan Novak, Nigel Lindsay, Adeel Akhtar, Arsher Ali, Craig Parkinson, Benedict Cumberbatch
Drafthouse Films
Originally Released: May 07, 2010

Four Lions has been labeled by many as a “dark comedy” movie, but let’s be honest: the term “dark comedy” is a safe phrase added to comedic media that pushes the boundaries and is truthfully dares to make light of that which is considered too taboo to joke about. In other words, it is irreverent humor, which is my kind of comedy film. Four Lions, complete with brilliant performances, an excellent cameo from Benedict Cumberbatch, and the abovementioned irreverent comedy is what we have been waiting for a long time: a swift kick in the nuts of political correctness. [...]

Adventure Time: My Two Favorite People
DVD
Staring John Di Maggio, Jeremy Shada, Tom Kenny
Created by Pendleton Ward
Cartoon Network
Release date: September 27, 2011

I know a lot of people who are fans of Cartoon Network’s Adventure Time, and it seems to be one of the network’s most popular shows these days, but for whatever reason I never really gave it a shot. There was just something about the style of the show that kept me away for whatever reason. However, when the chance came to review the first DVD release of the show I took a shot, even only to see if the people recommending it to me were full of it. Having watched some of it now, I can understand why some people like it; I just don’t know if I’m as sold on it as they are [...]

The Fighter
Netflix Streaming
DVD | Blu-Ray
Directed by David O. Russell
Starring Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Melissa Leo, Jack McGee
Paramount Pictures
Originally Released: December 10, 2010

The Fighter is a boxing movie, featuring Mark Wahlberg as Micky Ward and a show-stealing Christian Bale acting as Ward’s brother, Dicky Eklund. Based on a true story, the film follows Ward’s rise in the sport, while focusing on the inner turmoil of his family members – but ultimately is a tale of fall-from-grace, resulting in deliverance and reconciliation.

The film opens with an HBO crew following Eklund, who believes they are following him for “his big comeback” in the ring. He lives for his wonder days of when he himself was boxing, and continually bringing up the time he took down Sugar Ray. In fact, the HBO crew is following Eklund for a different reason – they are making a documentary on crack addiction [...]

Fright Night
Blu-ray 3D | Blu-ray | DVD
DIRECTED BY: Craig Gillespie
WRITTEN BY: Marti Noxon
STARRING: Anton Yelchin, Colin Farrell, Imogen Poots, David Tennant, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Toni Collette
DreamWorks Pictures
RELEASE DATE: December 13, 2011

By now we should all be familiar with the drill: whether we like it or hate it, Hollywood will and is remaking everything they can get their hands on, and that’s because people pay lots and lots of money to see them. So, knowing that, we might as well at least remain open to the possibility that every now and again a remake will be done properly (the Coen’s True Grit, for example) and in-turn, be worth our time and our money. [...]

Final Destination 5
Blu-ray | DVD
DIRECTED BY: Steven Quale
WRITTEN BY: Eric Heisserer
STARRING: Nicholas D’Agosto, Emma Bell, Miles Fisher, Arlen Escarpeta, David Koechner, Tony Todd, Courtney B. Vance, P.J. Byrne, Ellen Wroe, Jacqueline MacInnes-Wood
Warner Brothers
RELEASE DATE: December 27, 2011

The last time we had a brush with death was in 2010′s The Final Destination. As it turned out, that installment in the horror movie franchise was by far the worst of them all with horrible acting, nonsensical situations, soap opera-level acting, and just an all-around unlikable final product. And that’s coming from someone who very much enjoyed the previous installments in the series for what they are: gruesomely fun guilty pleasures. [...]

Shaolin
Netflix Streaming
DVD | Blu-Ray
Produced and Directed by Benny Chan
Starring Andy Lau, Nicholas Tse, Jackie Chan, Wu Jing, Fan Bingbing, Xiaoliuna, Hung Yan-yan
Emperor Motion Pictures
Originally Released: January 19, 2011

Shaolin is an epic tale, made by Chinese and Hong Kong filmmakers – directed by Benny Chan – emphasizing both the peaceful path and jaw-dropping martial defense skills of the legendary Shaolin Monks. Featuring a supporting role from Jackie Chan, the film is a captivating ride from beginning to its conclusion – laced with numerous lessons and morals to make even the hardened of us reflect our own inner ethics.

One of the greatest aspects of Netflix Streaming is the instant accessibility users have to films made outside of the United States [...]

Red Hill
Netflix Streaming
DVD | Blu-Ray
Written and Directed by Patrick Hughes
Starring Ryan Kwanten, Steve Bisley, Tom E. Lewis, Claire van der Boom, Christopher Davis
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Originally Released: December 02, 2011

Red Hill is easily one of the best movies I’ve ever seen on Netflix, and is an unexpected and understated title that grabs and keeps your attention from beginning to end. It is a solidly written and marvelously executed movie that is an exceptional viewing experience. This is a most definite “must see” movie, so when you add it to your Netflix queue, push it to the number one spot. You won’t regret it. [...]

Insidious
Netflix Streaming
DVD | Blu-Ray
Directed by James Wan
Written by Leigh Whannell
Starring Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Ty Simpkins, Barbara Hershey, Lin Shaye, Andrew Astor, Leigh Whannell, Angus Sampson
FilmDistrict
Originally Released: April 1, 2011

The creative team behind Insidious, Leigh Whannell and James Wan (from my home country Australia), has done it again in the horror genre with a new take on some traditional ghost stories and horror plot devices. With a solid plot, some convincing performances from a great cast, and fantastic lighting and camera work, Insidious stands up as not only a decent firm horror movie, but as a nightmare personified [...]

The Three Colors Trilogy
Blue, White, Red
DVD | Blu-ray
Directed by Krzysztof Kieslowski
Starring Julie Delpy, Juliette Binoche, Irene Jacob
The Criterion Collection
Release date: November 15, 2011

Star Wars. Spider-Man. X-Men. When it comes to trilogies, the mind starts off thinking of the biggest of big summer tentpole blockbusters. However, when one must consider what is truly the greatest collection of interconnected narratives that cinema has to offer, this writer thinks the conversation starts and stops with something, a bit more minute.

From the thinking man’s auteur Krzysztof Kieslowski, Blue, White, and Red, better known as the Three Colors Trilogy, is simply the greatest threesome of films ever put to cellouloid. And the newly released Criterion Collection Blu-ray box set of this epic masterpiece is just the type of release a classic like this sucker needs, and deserves [...]

Design For Living
DVD | Blu-ray
Directed by Ernst Lubitsch
Starring Gary Cooper, Frederic March, Miriam Hopkins
The Criterion Collection
Release date: December 6, 2011

Now this is what this writer calls a change of pace.

Just a month following the release of what may be the company’s most important and dense release to date, The Three Colors Trilogy, the geniuses over at The Criterion Collection have come back with their sole new addition for the month of December, and it’s about as far from the meditative triptych of masterful art cinema as a single uproarious comedy could be [...]

Limitless
Netflix Streaming
DVD | Blu-Ray
Directed by Neil Burger
Screenplay written by Leslie Dixon
Based on The Dark Fields by Alan Glynn
Starring Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro, Abbie Cornish, Anna Friel, Johnny Whitworth
Rogue Pictures
Originally Released: March 18, 2011

Limitless is a science fiction wolf in a sheep’s clothing of a thriller. At first glance, its twists and turns evoke a deep thriller feel, but its basis lies in the realm of sci-fi. Bradley Cooper plays Eddie Morra, a struggling author dealing with a frustrating inability to focus on his new novel, competing with an overwhelming urge for procrastination. But a chance meeting with an old acquaintance will revolutionize everything [...]

Doctor Who Series 6
DVD | Blu-Ray
Starring Matt Smith, Karen Gillan, Arthur Darvill, Alex Kingston, Stuart Milligan, Suranne Jones, James Corden
Written by Steven Moffat, Stephen Thompson, Neil Gaiman, Matthew Graham, Mark Gatiss, Tom McRae, Toby Whithouse, Gareth Roberts
Directed by Toby Haynes, Jeremy Webb, Richard Clark, Julian Simpson, Peter Hoar, Richard Senor, Nick Hurran, Steve Hughes
BBC
Release Date: November 22, 2011

The sixth season of the new generation of Doctor Who is propelled by showrunner Steven Moffat into a web of timey wimey twists and turns, chock full of revelations and unveiled secrets of key characters: specifically fan favorite River Song. The series begins with a disastrous development for the Doctor, witnessed by his companions — and sets the tone for the rest of the season [...]

Kevin Smith: Too Fat For 40
Blu-ray | DVD
Directed by Joey Figueroa
Starring Kevin Smith
Shout! Factory
Release Date: October 18, 2011

Virtually anyone who was alive in the Nineties knows the name Kevin Smith. His movies are both epic and notorious. His ability to draw in the viewer is no different whether he is in front of the camera or behind it. Kevin Smith: Too Fat For 40 is his fourth Q&A-styled video presentation and his only one filmed on his birthday.

Filmed in the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, New Jersey (Smith’s hometown), this was originally aired as a two-hour special, but the video release is an uncut three-and-a-half hour version! Let me say that I have been a huge fan ever since Clerks and have thoroughly enjoyed all of his films (I refuse to speak of *cough cough* Jersey Girl *cough cough*) and his Q&As [...]