2017 Oscar Predictions

Real Movie News and Flix 66 presents 2017 Oscar predictions, featuring Dr. Thomas Parham and Ryan Izay

Why The Great Wall Whitewashing Accusations Are Wrong

        We live in the age of perpetual internet anger. As well as making information easier to access, there is a seemingly endless stream of outrage about one thing or another on social media. Although this can be a useful tool, those who are quick to react without first obtaining all of the fact can end up looking like the tool. Online fervor over the casting of Matt Damon in the Chinese fantasy epic, The Great Wall, is the latest casualty of casual internet stupidity. Allow me to take the time to inform the indignant of their ignorance.

Alien: Covenant crew photo released

 Introducing the ALIEN: COVENANT crew. Check out the new photo below from the upcoming film, then watch Legion on FX tomorrow, February 22, for an exclusive Alien: Covenant debut.

 

 

 

Grace and Frankie: Season Two DVD Review

• Actors: Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Martin Sheen, Sam Waterston, June Diane Raphael
• Directors: Dean Parisot, Rebecca Asher, Trent O'Donnell, Arlene Sanford, Andy Ackerman
• Disc Format: Box set, Color, NTSC, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1
• Number of discs: 3
• Studio: Lionsgate
• DVD Release Date: February 21, 2017
• Run Time: 389 minutes

        “Grace and Frankie” is another example of an original Netflix show willing to break from the norm, both in the tackling of LGTBQ issues and featuring the sex lives of characters that aren’t in their 20s or 30s. As refreshing as it was to see a television show that wasn’t afraid to center on four characters in the twilight of their life, not to mention the acceptance of all sexual preferences, “Grace and Frankie” seemed like a single-season premise. Watching the first season drag out its simple idea often had me wondering if it would have made for a better film than series, and I definitely had concerns that they would not be able to stretch the material out for another season. Not only did they make a second season, there is also a third on the way. Although I was right about the initial premise wearing thin, the title characters are pushed in new directions this season.

Manchester by the Sea Blu-ray Review

• Actors: Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, Kyle Chandler, Lucas Hedges
• Director: Kenneth Lonergan
• Format: Color, NTSC, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Region: Region A/1
• Number of discs: 2
• Rated: R
• Studio: Lionsgate
• Release Date: February 21, 2017
• Run Time: 137 minutes

        The problem with seeing films after they have received their critical and award-season hype comes mostly from the expectations held by audience members. This probably explains a majority of the backlash against this season’s biggest winner thus far, La La Land, and it definitely affected the way I perceived Manchester by the Sea. Even though I saw this film long before nominations began coming out, there was something else that affected my perception of the film: the marketing. Yes, I had expectations built up because of high critical praise (award nominations had not yet been announced when I first watched the film), but even more misleading was the trailers I had seen depicting a feel-good indi film. I realize the marketing department did not want to spoil certain plot developments (which I will also avoid in this review), but the trailer also misleads audiences into thinking the tone of the film was far lighter than it actually is.

Bad Santa 2 Blu-ray Review

• Actors: Billy Bob Thornton, Kathy Bates, Tony Cox
• Director: Mark Waters
• Format: Dubbed, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Subtitles: English, Spanish
• Dubbed: Spanish
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: R/Unrated
• Studio: Broad Green Pictures
• Release Date: February 21, 2017
• Run Time: 94 minutes

        I’m certainly glad that we didn’t have to wait an entire year for the home entertainment release of Bad Santa 2, which is often the case for holiday films released theatrically during that season. It makes logical sense, as few people are likely to rush out to buy and rent a Christmas movie in February, but that kind of delay would have built up the anticipation unnecessarily. I enjoyed the first film immensely and was somewhat disappointed to miss this sequel in the theaters. I was even more disappointed when I finally did see it, but it would have been much worse had I been forced to wait until next holiday season.