Vanilla Sky
Netflix | Amazon | Epix | Google Play | SEN | Vudu | YouTube
DVD
Directed by Cameron Crowe
Starring Tom Cruise, Penélope Cruz, Kurt Russell, Jason Lee, Cameron Diaz, Noah Taylor, Timothy Spall
Paramount Pictures
Originally Released: December 14, 2001

Vanilla Sky is one of those movies that, for one reason or another, I never got around to seeing – until now. And it also happens to be one of those movies that nobody ever says, "Meh, it was okay". Cameron Crowe’s surreal swirl of romance, sci-fi, thriller, and drama is a divisive piece of work, resulting in the vast majority of viewers either loving it or loathing it.

So that being said, there’s very little I can say within the circumstance of this review about this movie that will sway you one way or the other. Vanilla Sky is just one of those flicks you have to see for yourself, and make your own mind up about.

But whichever end your mind is made up about – one thing is certain: Vanilla Sky will fuck with your head [...]

ParaNorman
Netflix | Amazon | Google Play | SEN | Vudu | YouTube
DVD | Blu-ray
Directed by Sam Fell and Chris Butler
Starring Kodi Smit-McPhee, Jodelle Micah Ferland, Tucker Albrizzi, Casey Affleck, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, John Goodman
Focus Features
Originally Released: August 03, 2012

The surprisingly good venture into the macabre and demonic in the stop-motion animated film known as ParaNorman is full of both frights and laughs, in a tale that finishes up being as endearing as it is exciting. With precision on effects and careful attention to detail, the film is well worth your viewing time, full of tributes to classics, and memorable humor.

The story begins in the small town of Blithe Hollow, where Norman Babcock (Kodi Smit-McPhee) is ostracized by family members and peers alike because of his unusual ability: he can see the dead and speak with them. Very few believe in Norman’s abilities, except for his mysterious Uncle Prenderghast (John Goodman), who has been watching the boy from afar [...]

Classic Albums: Black Sabbath – Paranoid
Netflix | Amazon | Google Play | YouTube
DVD | Blu-ray
Directed by Matthew Longfellow
Starring Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward, Henry Rollins, Jim Simpson, Tony Allom, Deena Weinstein
Eagle Rock Entertainment
Originally Released: June 30, 2010

With drummer Bill Ward’s birthday today, May 5, and with all the news surrounding the upcoming Black Sabbath album, 13, (despite Ward not being involved), I thought it would be timely to delve back into the past for this week’s streaming review. This week, we take a look at the band’s classic album called Paranoid, a ground-breaking release that established them as an international phenomenal, and put Black Sabbath’s name down on the history books as the first heavy metal band.

The significance of Paranoid, in union with the other first four releases by Black Sabbath, is unparalleled. Combining musical influences of rock and roll, blues, jazz, swing, and classical; and swarming it among darker occultist lyrical topics, the band laid down a basis that would not only establish their own careers, but also form the basis for all metal bands that would follow as well as all of the subgenres to break off from metal. Black Sabbath’s contributions to the early development of metal are incomparable to all who would follow [...]

The Stone Tape
Instant Video | DVD
Directed by Peter Sasdy
Written by Nigel Kneale
Starring Michael Bryant, Jane Asher, Iain Cuthbertson, Michael Bates, Tom Chadbon
BBC Two
Originally Released: December 25, 1972

In the most recent Doctor Who episode, entitled Hide, which we reviewed on the latest TARDISblend, the Doctor finds himself meeting a duo of "ghost hunters" in a mansion. Investigating the alleged haunting, the Professor explains to the Doctor a rundown of the sightings in the building, and incidents including the discovery of cans of Spam and a letter hidden behind a boarded up stone steps. This key moment in the episode is a direct reference to a notable BBC story from the 1970’s called The Stone Tape, and was a key influence on that episode.

Being an obstinate Whovian, I was curious to learn more about The Stone Tape, and was pleasantly surprised to find it streaming from Amazon. Not only does the classic televised play feature essential plot elements that would be implied in the Doctor Who episode of Hide, but it’s also implied that Hide is almost somewhat of a sequel (in a manner of speaking, to a degree, maybe) of The Stone Tape [...]

Rubicon (Season One)
Amazon (HD) | Amazon (Standard)
Created by Jason Horwitch
Produced by Henry Bromell
Directed by Brad Anderson, Ed Bianchi, Allen Coulter, Guy Ferland, Nick Gomez, Keith Gordon, Jeremy Podeswa, Sieth Mann, Alik Sakharov, Michael Slovis, Alan Taylor
Starring James Badge Dale, Jessica Collins, Lauren Hodges, Dallas Roberts, Christopher Evan Welch, Arliss Howard, Miranda Richardson, Michael Cristofer, Peter Gerety
AMC
Originally Released: June 13, 2010

In a post-9/11 world, things are often viewed with a corrupted perspective, forced upon the populace by a fear-mongering media driven by corporate interests and partisan biases. Since that moment in history, we’ve seen a lot of television shows and movies released taking the patriotic side of the government, a world in which the show 24 echoes sentiments parodied in the morning by Team America: World Police. But in 2010, a series with a different perspective on world events postulated a refreshing, and perhaps frightening yet accurate, view… enter Rubicon.

Rubicon is an espionage drama. Aired in 2010, it focuses on connections and conspiracies. No more are the days of The X-Files and how "the truth is out there" about bogative government controlled plots and agendas; with Rubicon we have a startling drama that zeros in on menaces and conspiracies of a more realistic nature – those driven by the greed and profits of corporations [...]

Neon Alley
24/7 Streaming Anime Network
Available on Playstation 3, Xbox 360
Launch Date: October 2, 2012
Viz Media
Price: $6.99 Monthly Membership

They say it takes a month to really get to know someone (okay, no one really says that, I just needed to set up this review, okay?). After a month, with any luck, all the quirks and vices that drive us to love or hate someone have began to bubble to the surface. It’s from there that we decide whether to keep the relationship going or not.

Streaming anime network Neon Alley and I have been courting for the past month, and I have got to tell you: things are looking good.

Neon Alley works like no other streaming anime service out right now. Unlike Crunchyroll or Hulu, Neon Alley runs exactly like any cable network with a full slot of programmed shows airing with episode one. It’s a novel idea that harkens back to the days of Cartoon Network’s Toonami.

Okay, a television network that plays all anime, not that special, right? Wrong, dead wrong [says while pointing an accusatory finger]. [...]

Audition
Netflix | Amazon | iTunes | Vudu
DVD | Blu-ray
Directed by Takashi Miike
Starring Ryo Ishibashi, Eihi Shiina, Tetsu Sawaki, Jun Kunimura, Renji Ishibashi
Vitagraph Films
Originally Released: October 06, 1999

I love talking about movies with people, and so a matter that recently came up in discussion was a brainstorm/list of some of the most fucked up movies we’ve ever seen. While many suggested were ones I had seen, one stood out to me as one of those I’d always anticipated to see, but had never gotten around to it: Audition. So, taking the advice of a gypsy goddess, I dove back into my healthy obsession for horror and gore and challenging movies, and queued it up for my streaming review.

Audition is, in essence, a very deceiving movie. While it’s marketed and classified in the horror genre, the very cringe-inducing moments come much later in the film, though this does not diminish its impact. The story focuses on Shigeharu Aoyama (Ryo Ishibashi), a widower, who after many years of raising his son Shigehiko Aoyama (Tetsu Sawaki) on his own decides that it is time to begin dating again [...]

Transformers: Dark of the Moon
Netflix | Amazon | Epix | Google Play | iTunes | Redbox Instant | SEN | Vudu | Xbox | YouTube
DVD | Blu-ray
Directed by Michael Bay
Starring Shia LaBeouf, Peter Cullen, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Hugo Weaving, Tyrese Gibson, Leonard Nimoy, Josh Duhamel, John Malkovich, Frank Welker, Alan Tudyk, Glenn Morshower, Buzz Aldrin, Bill O’Reilly
Paramount Pictures
Originally Released: June 23, 2011 [...]

Dark of the Moon, the third installment of the Transformers motion picture series, is full of attention-grabbing action, with magnificent special effects that show major improvements on the previous two films. And despite a plot with logic gaps and other wanting elements, the consequence is a fun romp. Hey, it’s a popcorn movie after all!

Dark of the Moon picks up where Revenge of the Fallen left off. Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) has moved on in life – now graduated from university, he lives with new girlfriend Carly Spencer (Rosie Huntington-Whiteley) while looking for his first major job. Despite the progress forward, he suffers an inner turmoil after having been central to the trials of the battles between the Autobots and Decepticons, feeling that his future is substandard and matters less than his efforts fighting the good fight with allies Optimus Prime (Peter Cullen) and Bumblebee [...]

Timecrimes
Netflix | Amazon
DVD
Directed by Nacho Vigalondo
Starring Karra Elejalde, Candela Fernandez, Barbara Goenaga, Nacho Vigalondo, Juan Inciarte
Karbo Vantas Entertainment
Originally Released: September 20, 2007

Time travel movies have a soft spot for me. I’ve always loved Sci-Fi in general, but I think that crazy Doctor in the big blue box rubbed the concept of time travel into my cerebral cortex so deep that I am attracted to many films that focus on the topic. Timecrimes is not just a time travel movie, but a damn good one that zones in on the concept of time loops, and how things connect.

But it’s a convoluted plot, so pay attention!

Made and set in Spain, the story follows the tale of a fellow named Héctor (Karra Elejalde), who is generally a simple and curious man who has moved into a new-ish home with his wife (Candela Fernández) that they are fixing up and renovating, located in a sparse forestry area away from the city. While examining his new surroundings outside the perimeter of his property with his handy binoculars, he sees some strange things: a strange complex with some kind of antennae/tower; and a young lady disrobing until completely nude [...]

Last Ride
Netflix | Amazon | Google Play | iTunes | Vudu | YouTube
DVD | Blu-ray
Directed by Glendyn Ivin
Starring Hugo Weaving, Tom Russell, Kelton Pell, John Brumpton, Anita Hegh
Madman Entertainment
Originally Released: July 02, 2009

If any one country has benefited immensely from the dawn of online streaming and on-demand, it would have to be the independent Aussie film industry. With government funding towards independent films, Aussie movies have enjoyed extensive coverage on services such as Netflix, exposing new viewers to the down under talents of Australian filmmakers and actors. One such example is the film, Last Ride.

Directed by Glendyn Ivin, and starring the phenomenal Hugo Weaving, Last Ride follows the story of a father on the run after committing a violent crime. The movie is based on the novel of the same name by Denise Young, in which Max, the suspect, takes his son, Chook, with him on the journey – as we try to learn of the sins of the father through the eyes of the son [...]

We Have A Pope
Netflix | Google Play | YouTube | Amazon
DVD | DVD
Directed by Nanni Moretti
Starring Michel Piccoli, Nanni Moretti, Jerzy Stuhr, Renato Scarpa, Lucia Mascino
01 Distribution
Originally Released: April 15, 2011

With the selection of the new Pope this week, Francis I, it would be opportune to take a look at a film about the Papacy and the Vatican. Despite any criticisms or predisposition one might have about the leadership of the Catholic Church – whether a believer or not – the tradition of the Conclave in which a new Pontiff is elected has major historic significance, and is done so in a secretive manner that captures the attention of millions for a wide spectrum of reasons.

The convention of electing a Pope is not only secretive, but incredibly complicated, and has been going on for thousands of years. In the face of growing criticism from many over the scandals and cover-ups that have afflicted the Church in recent years, it’s tempting to dive into a film that perhaps examines these elements, a movie that attempts to highlight the aging tradition has no place in the contemporary [...]

Seed
Netflix | Google Play | YouTube | Vudu
DVD
Directed by Uwe Boll
Starring Will Sanderson, Michael Paré, Ralf Möller, Jodelle Ferland, Michael Eklund
Vivendi Entertainment
Originally Released: April 27, 2007

I recently had a long discussion with a good friend about my ever-ongoing obsession with horror films, and my quest to find more movies that were visually challenging.

"Oh, you need to see Seed," she told me. Being a horror aficionado herself, she surprised me continuing with, "I even had trouble watching it".

Naturally I added it to the top of my queue.

Directed by "love him or hate him" Uwe Boll, Seed follows the story of imprisoned serial killer Maxwell "Max" Seed (Will Sanderson). Arrested for his morbid death toll of 666 deaths (as cheesy as that sounds, it’s fitting as you will later read), he is on death row facing execution. Despite protest from the Executioner (Michael Eklund) to Warden Calgrove (Ralf Möller) on the failing condition of the electric chair, the authorities push forward with zapping Seed. [...]

Todd and the Book of Pure Evil
Netflix | Instant Video | DVD
Directed by James Genn, James Dunnison, Craig David Wallace, David Winning, Warren P Sonoda
Starring Alex House, Maggie Castle, Bill Turnball, Melanie Leishman, Jason Mewes, Chris Leavins, Dan Petronijevic, Steve Arbuckle, Norman Yeung
Frantic Films and Pure Evil Productions
Originally Aired: September 29, 2010

Have you missed the good ole days of Buffy the Vampire Slayer on TV, as we deal with our Scooby gang dealing with the monster of the week along with an overarching storyline? Well I have some good news for you: there is something out there to whet your whistle. How about we add some over the top gore and humor to the mix — think along the lines of Hot Fuzz/Shaun of the Dead — with an added dash of stoner buddies and heavy metal. Well I can say that Todd and the Book of Evil, is a nice mix of all those things and more.

The show is a Canadian TV show that I first heard about while browsing through an issue of Geek Magazine. It’s based on a 18-minute short that was directed by Craig David Wallace, and written by Wallace and Max Reid. And luckily for those that can wait, guess what’s on Netflix Watch Instantly? I am guessing it was edited for TV, strong language, and more, but luckily it’s all there on Netflix. [...]

Night Of The Living Dead: Re-animation
Netflix | Google Play | YouTube
DVD | Blu-ray
Directed by Jeff Broadstreet
Starring Andrew Divoff, Jeffrey Combs, Sarah Lieving, Robin Sydney, Adam Chambers, Denice Duff
Screen Media Films
Originally Released: October 16, 2012

Night of the Living Dead: Re-animation is a prequel to a remake. You read that correctly, it is a prequel to a remake of Night of the Living Dead. And the end result is as tacky as it sounds. In fact, it’s so tacky, it’s terrible. Even Russo’s Return of the Living Dead series had some nice slapstick humor to refresh the load; in Re-animation, we’re stuck with a movie that amounts to nothing more than a stale fart. Though coupled with a few good performances and some reasonable CGI zombie effects, the plot is deficient in much substance and the social commentary is laughably bad.

Set before the events of 2007’s Night of the Living Dead 3D, Re-animation aims to give the back story of how it all began. Despite the goal, the movie does very little to accomplish this, being more of a standalone weird zombie flick than just has the classic movie titled tacked on. The tale begins in a mortuary, where corpses become reanimated into zombies. And that’s about as much of the plot I want to describe, simply because this movie has wasted enough of my time as it is. [...]

House Of Cards: Season One
Netflix
Directed by David Fincher, James Foley, Joel Schumacher, Charles McDougall, Carl Franklin, Carl Franklin
Starring Kevin Spacey, Robin Wright, Kate Mara, Corey Stoll, Michael Kelly, Sakina Jaffrey, Kristen Connolly, Michael Gill, Soledad O’Brien
Netflix
Originally Released: February 1, 2013

Although Netflix had already taken a step into original series with Lilyhammer, it is with House of Cards that they have positioned a deep (though safe, in my mind) gamble in the belief that streaming is not just the way of the future, that it is already here. And that their customer base is already aware of this. And who among our audience doesn’t agree with this?

I dare you to defy my call on this, because seriously – I’ve lost count of the amount of conversations with fellow geeks that have spoken of the hours of sleepless nights they’ve self-induced to finish a season of Doctor Who or Star Trek or The Office or The IT Crowd, or a franchise of movies. Netflix knows that their fans and followers soak up an entire season in a day or maybe two. Who the hell needs sleep anyway? [...]