The Avengers Blu-ray review

Actors: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson

Director: Joss Whedon

Format: Color, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen

Language: English (DTS-HD High Res Audio), French (Unknown), Spanish (Dolby Digital 5.1)

Subtitles: French, Spanish, English

Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1

Number of discs: 2

Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)

Studio: Walt Disney Video

Release Date: September 25, 2012

Run Time: 143 minutes

            The Avengers was the film of the summer. It had everything that a summer blockbuster should have, and as an added bonus, it is actually quite good on the small screen as well. My initial concern was that the special effects which looked so good in 3D on a massive screen might be less impressive on home video, but this is a film meant to entertain in a number of ways. Aside from the special effects, which still look spectacular in high definition 2D, The Avengers also has a rather clever script with enough jokes to endure some cliché melodrama thrown in to predictably manipulate emotions.

            I don’t say that The Avengers is manipulative as an insult, because most movies attempt to maneuver human emotions in one direction or another. The good ones are less transparent than The Avengers is about it, but this is also a film which was made to reach as wide of an audience as possible. This means that some of the elements are dumbed down to the point where a child can appreciate every aspect of the story as easily as his 70-year-old grandmother could. This makes for an extremely accessible and entertaining film, though one without much depth beyond superficial entertainment.

            Part of the reason The Avengers only seems to scratch the surface of a plot has to do with the excess in superheroes, and the movie stars attached to them. There is Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Captain America (Chris Evans), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) and Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), and each of these heroes must be given proper screen time and something of a character arc. With all of that going on at the same time as jokes and spectacle, sometimes the dialogue can become slightly transparent. I am interested in seeing what they do with a sequel, though I think it is for the ego of all the stars that each character is given such specifically designated screen time.

            I wouldn’t call The Avengers the best superhero ever made, but I would call it the film of the summer and it is certainly a must-see for anyone that likes the genre. Seeing it in theaters may have been ideal, but the high definition Blu-ray presentation is still remarkably impressive. The effects may even look better than they did in 3D, and it is certainly easier to see what is happening during the action sequences. The 2-disc combo pack also comes with a DVD version of the film and an onslaught of impressive extras. The DVD includes a featurette about the casting process and an audio commentary with director Joss Whedon. The Blu-ray bonus features include those and a second-screen experience for laptop or ipad owners, as well as an original short film and a featurette about the special effects. There are also deleted scenes and the first-ever gag reel for a Marvel comic book film.

Cinderella Diamond Edition Blu-ray review

Actors: Ilene Woods, Eleanor Audley, Lucille Bliss, Rhoda Williams, Verna Felton

Directors: Clyde Geronimi, Hamilton S. Luske, Wilfred Jackson

Writers: Ken Anderson, Homer Brightman, Winston Hibler

Format: Animated, Closed-captioned, Color, DTS Surround Sound, Dubbed, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen

Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0), English (DTS-HD High Res Audio), French (Unknown), Spanish (Unknown)

Subtitles: French, Spanish, English

\Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1

Number of discs: 2

Rated: G (General Audience)

Studio: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment

Release Date: October 2, 2012

Run Time: 75 minutes

            Some films don’t seem to be enhanced any on high definition Blu-ray. A classic black-and-white film from the 50s may not look altogether different when watched on Blu-ray instead of DVD, but animated films are an exception. Although Cinderella is over 60 years old, there is still a great deal of detail that I had never noticed in the high definition presentation of this beloved classic. The new Blu-ray release comes with an all-new enhanced presentation, as well as many new special features that include a never-before-seen Tangled short film.

            Despite being a classic today and considered one of the three great princess films from the golden years of Disney, Cinderella didn’t start out with such certainty. Made in 1950, Cinderella was the first post-war animated feature from Disney, and was a huge risk that threatened the entire animation department. At the time Disney hadn’t seen the same amount of success since the release of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs many years prior. Cinderella was a risky film, but one that put the studio back on top.

            Cinderella is filled with wonderful animation and memorable music, telling the story of a young beauty with an evil step-mother and the desire to go to a ball. With the help of a fairy Godmother, Cinderella is able to finish her chores and make it to the dance, only to meet the Prince and fall madly in love. The story is well known, from pumpkin carriage to glass slipper, but has never looked as good as it does here.

            The Blu-ray 2-Disc combo pack includes both a Blu-ray and DVD copy of the film, with a number of new special features to add to the vintage one. Most mentionable on the Blu-ray is the second-screen abilities and a new short film with the characters from Tangled, though there is also a never-before-seen alternate opening for the film. There are few films as memorable as this one, and it belongs in any Disney fan’s collection while the vault is still open.

Dark Shadows Blu-ray Combo pack review

Actors: Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Helena Bonham Carter, Eva Green, Jackie Earle Haley

Director: Tim Burton

Writers: Seth Grahame-Smith, John August

Producers: Johnny Depp, Richard D. Zanuck, Graham King, Christi Dembrowski, David Kennedy

Format: AC-3, Dolby, Full Screen, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen

Language: Portuguese (Dolby Digital 5.1), English (DTS 5.1), French (Dolby Digital 5.1), Spanish (Dolby Digital 5.1)

Subtitles: French, Spanish, Portuguese

Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1

Number of discs: 2

Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)

Studio: Warner Home Video

Release Date: October 2, 2012

Run Time: 113 minutes

            Dark Shadows looks like vintage Tim Burton. It has the look and feel of Beetlejuice, mixed with a little bit of The Witches of Eastwick. There are some spectacular visual sequences in which we are treated to the style which Burton is known for. The final sequence has a house coming to life through the trickery of a witch, and this moment feels like Burton at his best. I only wish that as much attention were given to Seth Grahame-Smith’s screenplay adaptation of the cult British series, “Dark Shadows.”

            Vampires, werewolves and witches fill this comical fantasy film, but it is the performances which are most outrageous. Johnny Depp seems to enjoy the freedom that comes with a Tim Burton film. Occasionally his performance is too weird even for Burton (like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or Alice in Wonderland), but Dark Shadows is just strange enough to be fun. Depp stars as Barnabas Collibns, a man whose affair with his chambermaid Angelique (Eva Green) turns out to be a huge mistake. Angelique is a witch, so when left heartbroken she curses Barnabas to become a vampire.

            After being entombed for two centuries, Barnabas emerges in 1972 and returns home to a house full of his dysfunctional descendant, including a matriarchal figure (Michelle Pfeiffer). The problem with the film from this point on is that it seems to have little direction in-between gags. Barnabas takes over the family business to try and push Angelique out, who is still around town and a successful business owner with the absence of competition. Barnabas returns to make the family business a success, but there is no accounting for the trickery that Angelique is willing to resort to. This storyline is rather muddled and dull, until a final conclusion filled with magic and special effects.

            The Blu-ray release of Dark Shadows comes with a DVD and Ultraviolet copy as well, but the special features are somewhat lacking. There are some deleted scenes, though none worth writing home about. The only special feature which truly enhances the package is the Maximum Movie Mode, which is exclusive to Blu-ray. It allows the viewer an insider look at the making-of the film with nine behind-the-scenes featurettes during playback.  

Magic City: The Complete First Season Blu-ray review

Actors: Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Kelly Lynch

Director: Mitch Glazer

Format: Widescreen

Language: English, Spanish

Subtitles: English, Spanish

Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1

Number of discs: 3

Rated: NR (Not Rated)

Studio: Anchor Bay

Release Date: October 2, 2012

Run Time: 419 minutes

            After the success of Mad Men, it is no surprise that we are suddenly seeing a whole lot more period television series, such as the unsuccessful “Pan Am,” “Boardwalk Empire,” and now “Magic City.” This series takes place at the Miramar Playa Hotel in Miami Beach in 1959, making it feel like a cross between “Boardwalk Empire” and “Mad Men,” especially when criminal activity is what helps to keep the hotel alive during Castro’s occupation of Havana. Between the mob, the Kennedys and the CIA, owner of the hotel Ike Evans (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) is forced to jump through a series of hoops to stay afloat.

            When Ike becomes involved with Ben “The Butcher” Diamond in order to keep the unions away from his hotel, he changes the direction of his business for both him and his sons. The changes are small at first, but soon they are tangled up with a man whose name is a direct result of his vicious nature. Matters are made even worse when one of Ike’s sons begins an affair with the young and beautiful wife of “The Butcher,” leaving us to imagine what would happen should he get caught.

            What makes “Magic City” a joy to watch is similar to what makes “Mad Men” work as well, on top of excellent acting and impeccable writing. “Magic City” uses the real-life events of the time and location and blends them into the storyline. The pilot episode of “Magic City” has a Frank Sinatra show on New Year’s Eve, and details such as Sinatra’s insistence that every seat be filled are part of what makes this show a slice of history as well as entertainment.

            The first season of this Starz Studios Original series is included on three discs in this set. There are eight episodes in this first season, each nearly an hour long and filled with the kind of sex and violence which can only be found on cable channels. The special features include a making-of featurette, as well as one about the style, music and cars of the show’s time period. There is even a featurette on the real Magic City that inspired the show. 

New Girl: The Complete First Season DVD review

Actors: Zooey Deschanel, Jake Johnson, Max Greenfield, Lamorne Morris, Hannah Simone

Format: AC-3, Box set, Color, Dolby, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC

Language: English

Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1

Number of discs: 3

Rated: Unrated

Studio: 20th Century Fox

DVD Release Date: October 2, 2012

Run Time: 526 minutes

            Sitcoms have changed in the last few decades. Four camera sitcoms filmed in front of a live audience on a stage still exist, but the more popular ones have found a way to push the boundaries and remain clever. A perfect example is the flashback storytelling of “How I Met Your Mother.” Even so, most sitcoms have now gone on to the one-camera version, which is not contained within the restrictions of a set. What makes a show like “New Girl” stand out from the other one-camera sitcoms isn’t plot. “Happy Endings” has a similar structure, and even stole one of the actors from the pilot of “New Girl,” but it is characters within this particular show which makes it memorable.

            Producer and star of the show Zooey Deschanel seems to have had this role tailor made for her specific talents. The character of Jess is an optimistic school teacher with the habit of singing to herself and expecting the best out of humanity. After a bad break-up slightly shakes up her spirit, Jess move in with three even more pathetic bachelors. Schmidt (Max Greenfield) is the only one with any financial success, though he is also a womanizer and secretly dating Jess’s model friend, Cece (Hannah Simone). Coach (Damon Wayans Jr.) is replaced with Winston (Lamore Morris) after the pilot, because apparently one black actor is as good as the next for the show’s purpose.

            The last roommate is Nick (Jake Johnson), a law school dropout turned bartender whose cynicism is a perfect counter for Jess’ positive attitude. In one classic episode these two characters fight over the intentions of their creepy landlord, leading to an outrageous battle of will. The complete twenty-four episodes of the first season of “New Girl” is included in this three-disc set. There are commentaries on three select episodes, including the pilot. There are also alternate jokes and a gag reel, audition footage and even a featurette on the fashion sense of the show’s star.    

Happy Endings Season 2 Blu-ray review

Actors: Zachary Knighton, Elisha Cuthbert, Damon Wayans Jr.

Format: AC-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC

Language: English

Subtitles: Spanish

Number of discs: 2

Rated: NR (Not Rated)

Studio: ABC

DVD Release Date: October 23, 2012

Run Time: 450 minutes

            If friends became a one-camera show, I think this is what it would look like. “Happy Endings” is a mildly amusing series about a group of friends in their late 20s and early 30s, and most of them are single. The series remains dedicated to the relationships between these friends and the new people they are currently dating. The most significant relationships, however, are the relationships which are built within the group of friends.

            The main relationship in this series is between Dave (Zachary Kighton) and Alex (Elisha Cuthbert). The series begins on their wedding day, but when Alex leaves Dave at the alter it ends the plans of a life together that they once had. It also makes things difficult for the group of friends. The group is tied to both of the suddenly split couple, and they don’t know how to cope with the new dynamic. Alex’s sister Jane (Eliza Coupe) is married to Dave’s friend Brad (Damon Wayans Jr.). Thrown into the mix is Dave’s gay roommate, Max (Adam Pally) and the desperately single Penny (Casey Wilson).

            It is clear that we will be hearing more about Dave and Alex, as they are the only ones capable of adding some romantic through line to the series. Season one didn’t advance their relationship, and season two only hints at it, but there are no other relationships on the show which are taken as seriously. Nearly every character has a relationship at one time or another, but they move on so fast from one episode to the next that it is hard to feel bad for them when heartbroken. Mostly this is a show to make you laugh at the trials of being single, or in a relationship, whereas all of the serious discussion of these things are left for another show. “Happy Endings” is all laughs and little sentimentality.

            Season two offers far more episodes than the brief first season, including 21 episodes on three discs. The special features include deleted scenes and outtakes.

           

How I Met Your Mother: The Complete Season 7 Blu-ray review

Actors: Josh Radnor, Jason Segel, Neil Patrick Harris, Alyson Hannigan

Format: AC-3, Box set, Color, Dolby, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC

Language: English

Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1

Number of discs: 3

Rated: NR (Not Rated)

Studio: 20th Century Fox

DVD Release Date: October

           

Multi-camera sitcoms shot on a stage with a live audience and a laugh track seemed all but dead, but there are still a few gems among the reality television and single camera laugh-track void shows. “How I Met Your Mother” may use all of the traditional technical elements of these sitcoms, but there is an added element; narration. The entire show is told through the context of a father telling his son and daughter about the journey from being single to meeting their mother, only even the audience isn’t clued in to who their mother is. The show begins with a misleading pilot that introduces an attractive female lead who has the same sense of humor as our narrator in his younger years, but by the end we are informed that she isn’t “the one”.

There are plenty of women who aren’t the one our narrator Ted will marry, but that is the charm of How I Met Your Mother. The premise seems fit for an average romantic feature film, but by dragging it out in a series there are many great opportunities to examine dating in 2005. The portion of the show that has Ted telling his children about their mother, takes place in 2029, which allows us to focus on the relevance of the 2005 dating scene. Just as Friends is now a window into the 1990’s and how relationships were approached and discussed among friends, How I Met Your Mother has the same charms for a new age of dating. The situations that Ted finds himself in are likely to parallel many experiences that frustrated singles feel today, and it is done in a humorous and often thoughtful way. This seems to be a direct result of a great cast and good writers.

The role of Ted seems written for Jimmy Fallon, but Josh Radnor is an acceptable substitute and the fact that he looks like John Cusack before he lost the baby fat on his cheeks helps him seem likeably familiar. I wasn’t sure how I felt about him during the first couple of episodes, but he certainly makes for a better romantic lead than Ross ever was, and you find that he grows on you as the season progresses. Radnor is supported by Jason Segel, who was great on Freaks and Geeks and seems to be playing a variation of the same role here, and Alyson Hannigan from the American Pie series. Neil Patrick Harris is also added to the cast as the womanizing friend who always wears a suit. Bob Saget as the never seen elder version of Ted, and voiceover for many parts of the show, making How I Met Your Mother feel like the creators of Wonder Years was asked to make a Friends replacement, especially when Wendy Cooper shows up. But it works in a good way.

As for the writing, it’s creatively sweet without losing its hip edge. There is also an element of geekiness in the scripts, which seems to be in these days. Season seven has become a bit of a stretch and it seems we may never know who the mother is, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t still moments of genius. This season is called “The Ducky Tie Edition,” for the duck tie that Barney is forced to wear for a year when he loses a bet to Marshall. There are also some more slaps and Ted goes through his usual roller coaster ride in various relationships.

The DVD includes a featurette about Neil Patrick Harris getting a star on Hollywood Bld., as well as a featurette about the plethora of guest star cameos this season. There are also two making-of featurettes and select episode audio commentaries, but most fans will find more laughs in the deleted scenes and gag reel.

Portlandia: Season 2 Blu-ray review

Actors: Carrie Brownstein Fred Armisen

Format: Color, NTSC

Language: English

Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1

Number of discs: 2

Rated: NR (Not Rated)

Studio: VIDEO SERV

Release Date: September 25, 2012

Run Time: 220 minutes

            There have been a lot of sketch shows over the years, and “Portlandia” follows in that tradition. There are the usual absurd and random caricatures and skits, though this show is so specific in its choice of location and subsequent topics that it may make the humor less accessible than desirable. That being said, for anyone who has spent time in Portland, the humor of this show can often be spot on. And as an additional bonus, there is an episode which takes the time to poke fun at Los Angeles as well.

            There are some great gags within this series, and every once and awhile I even found myself laughing. The problem with these jokes is that they are often used again and again in repeat episodes, just like any skit show does with a routine that works. Before long, the joke that was once funny becomes overwhelmingly tiresome and repetitious. This happens more often in season two, if only because this season has a great deal more episodes than the first one. There are still some great moments, but they are fewer and further between in this season.

            Season two has ten episodes fit onto two discs. Most of the episodes are on the first disc, with plenty of special features. There is a tour of Seattle special, which is odd but refreshingly different in the same way the L.A. episode is. There is also a making-of special, a director’s cut of the Brunch Village episode and deleted scenes from the Feminine Bookstore sketches. There are also commentaries on four episodes.

Strippers Vs Werewolves Blu-ray review

Actors: Robert Englund, Steven Berkoff, Martin Compston

Director: Jonathan Glendening

Format: Surround Sound, Widescreen

Language: English

Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1

Number of discs: 1

Rated: Unrated

Studio: Well Go USA

Release Date: September 25, 2012

Run Time: 93 minutes

 

            The effects are bad but breasts are bare, so I don’t see how I will be able to change anybody’s mind about this film. It is as cheesy as you would expect, perhaps even more so. It makes Zombie Strippers look like a masterpiece of good taste, but that is not because Strippers Vs Werewolves is any more vulgar. It is simply less intelligent, reaching to base audience members who don’t care to suspend disbelief as much as they want to see nude women. There is hardly even any horror in this B-film, even when there is violence and death. Instead of frightening, this film is just boring and predictable.

            After a confusing a poorly edited opening sequence in which we watch a building blow up, we are brought back into a slightly more conventionally bad attempt at filmmaking. The characters are all introduced, although they are all indistinguishable and interchangeable. There are a group of strippers and a group of werewolves. After we are told all of their names in freeze frame titles, the idiotic story can continue. One stripper is giving a private dance to a man who gets too excited and turns into a werewolf, so the stripper instinctually stabs him in the eye with a pen, which is conveniently made of silver.

            The death of one werewolf brings the wrath of the remainder of the pack, and soon the sleazy strip club The Silvadollaz is a battlefield between shotgun carrying strippers and goofy prosthetic wearing werewolves. Even a special appearance by Robert Englund isn’t enough to make this film even unintentionally good. Skip this film unless all you care about is the possibility of nudity, in which case you are the base target this shoddy film was directed towards.

            The Blu-ray bonus features include a commentary from the film’s producers and a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film. It is all just bad. And the high definition only serves as further proof in the terrible filmmaking at work in Strippers Vs Werewolves.