Pads & Panels

Title: Arthur

Format: Blu-ray+DVD+Digial Copy

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Directed by: Jason Winer

Written by: Peter Baynham

Starring: Russell Brand, Helen Mirren, Greta Gerwig, Luis Guzman, Nick Nolte, Jennifer Garner

Studio: Warner Bros.

Film Rating:

Blu-ray Rating:

Review by: Bill Jones

The Film

It has been a long while since I’ve seen a movie quite as bad as Arthur. Imagine, for a moment, a drunkenly obnoxious friend who for cannot be begged for one moment to stop his antics. Stretch that out to a 110-minute feature film, and give that friend infinite wealth and take away half of his brain and you’ve got Arthur, the latest remake atrocity from Warner Bros.

Based on a 1981 film of the same name, Arthur tells the tale of its titular character (Russell Brand), who is a millionaire playboy, who, much like many of the famous children inheriting wealth nowadays, constantly finds himself in the public eye, embarrassing his family with his antics. And this is not good for business, with investors worried about getting involved with a company that Arthur is anywhere near. (more…)

Title: Warrior

Directed by: Gavin O’Connor

Written by: Gavin O’Connor, Anthony Tambakis, Cliff Dorfman

Starring: Tom Hardy, Nick Nolte, Joel Edgerton, Jennifer Morrison

Studio: Lionsgate

Rating:

Review by: Bill Jones

By the end of most fight films, there is a well-defined “good guy” and a well-defined “bad guy.” We know who to root for; we know who we want to see win. We’ve seen the good underdog work to overcome the odds, and we’ve seen dubious deeds by his opponent, cementing him as the oppressing evil that must be stopped in its tracks. In Warrior, this is not the case. By the end, we don’t know who we want to see win. We don’t know who to root for. We can’t fathom what will happen if either man loses. Warrior is, by far, the most distinctive fight film I’ve ever seen.

To even call Warrior a “fight film” doesn’t quite do it justice. It’s a drama, through and through – crafted by Miracle director Gavin O’Connor – though it truly earns the fight genre as well, with absolutely engaging mixed martial arts fights, choreographed and filmed exceptionally well. But at the center of it all we have three characters that we grow to care about – characters who are introduced by the tip of the iceberg. We see these characters first on the surface, and then as Warrior rolls along we learn more about them, about the plights that have landed them where we are today, and by the time it all comes to a head we are fully invested in them, which is as much as any film can ask. (more…)

Title: WWE Extreme Rules 2011

Format: DVD

Studio: WWE Home Video

Review by: Bill Jones

Extreme Rules was introduced to WWE as the ECW pay-per-view of the year, but since going PG, it has become more about gimmick matches – cages, ladders, last man standing – than anything truly “extreme.” And while 2011’s iteration still finds itself stuck in that rut, it has a few gems. While it never tops the bill, Christian and Alberto del Rio put on a solid (not classic) ladder match, with the great story of Christian’s first championship win behind it. CM Punk and Randy Orton also have a knock-down drag-out last man standing bout. The triple threat main event cage match between The Miz, John Cena and John Morrison also has its moments, but feels awkward all around, and the end of The Miz’s reign is a disappointment. (more…)

Title: True Grit

Format: Two-disc Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Written and Directed by: Joel and Ethan Coen

Starring: Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, Barry Pepper, Hailee Steinfeld

Studio: Paramount

Film Rating:

Blu-ray Rating:

Review by: Bill Jones

The Film

True Grit is a solid film, but one I feel did not to be made for a number of reasons. The original was one of the most acclaimed John Wayne films around, and it’s a story that seemingly doesn’t need or warrant the Coen Brothers’ unique brand of humor. And ultimately, while I like the movie, I don’t love it.

Jeff Bridges is an acting force in the movie. Matt Damon does some interesting things with his character. And Hailee Steinfeld is absolutely fantastic as Mattie Ross. But it doesn’t all seem to add up in my book. It just amounts to a lot of entertaining parts that don’t really combine to form a fantastic film. (more…)

Title: AC/DC: Let There Be Rock

Format: DVD

Studio: Warner Bros.

Rating:

Review by: Bill Jones

Take one of the greatest rock bands in the world and capture the energy and excitement on film during a Paris performance that turned out to be the last filmed show AC/DC front man Bon Scott performed, with classic songs like “Highway to Hell,” “Whole Lot of Rosie” and “Let There Be Rock,” and that should be a recipe for immense success. The thing is, the Let There Be Rock release accomplishes just that, but still finds a way to muck it up bit.

First and foremost are the interview segments that are used to divide the show and create a concert film, rather than just a live video release. But the questions are absolutely ridiculous, and while it does serve as a snapshot of the band, it provides very little insight. It’s throwaway material, or in terms rock stars might understand but be hurt to hear – filler. And along with a silly filmed segment it simply detracts from the brilliant performance that can stand just fine on its own. (more…)

Title: Hall Pass

Format: Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy Enlarged Edition

MPAA Rating: R

Directed by: Peter and Bobby Farrelly

Written by: Pete Jones, Peter Farrelly, Kevin Barnett, Bobby Farrelly

Starring: Owen Wilson, Jason Sudeikis, Jenna Fischer, Richard Jenkins, Christina Applegate

Studio: Warner Bros.

Film Rating:

Blu-ray Rating:

Review by: Bill Jones

The Film

It was hard not to go into Hall Pass with extremely low expectations. The trailers looked absolutely terrible and the Farrelly Brothers arguably haven’t had a real high-profile critical hit since 1998’s There’s Something About Mary. So it was easy for the film to overwhelm, and it’s true that Hall Pass actually isn’t an overtly terrible movie; it’s just not that funny.

Rick (Owen Wilson) and Fred (Jason Sudeikis) have been friends for years. They’ve also been married for years — it should be noted to characters played by the absolutely gorgeous Jenna Fischer and Christina Applegate. But they both get caught looking, and what implausibly happens is their wives give them a “hall pass” from marriage for a week to do what they please, in hopes that in the aftermath they will have stronger marriages. (more…)

Title: Top Gear: The Complete First Season (USA)

Format: Three-Disc DVD

Starring: Adam Ferrara, Tanner Foust, Rutledge Wood

Studio: BBC America

Season Rating:

DVD Rating:

Review by: Bill Jones

The Season

If you’re the type of person who loves extremely fast and exotic vehicles, love sitting around watching gorgeously shot car porn of them AND enjoy three dues dragging it out and making terrible jokes while you’re watching, then Top Gear’s reinvention in the United States by BBC America is just for you.

It starts out with the right idea — a car show by fans of cars for fans of cars, on which said awesome cars are put through the ringer for challenges, stunts and, of course, races for top lap times, with faceless driver The Stig handling these portions of the show. In addition, the show offers a segment called “Big Star, Small Car,” during which celebrities cruise the track in a small Subaru to compete for the best lap time. All of that is fantastic, and the show is shot and edited in an engaging manner. (more…)

Title: Red Riding Hood

Format: Digital

Directed by: Catherine Hardwicke

Written by: David Johnson

Starring: Amanda Seyfried, Gary Oldman, Billy Burke, Shiloh Fernandez, Max Irons, Julie Christie

Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures

Rating:

Review by: Sarah Kumley

Teen books (and movies) these days are often about one of three things: vampires, werewolves or forbidden love. Although Red Riding Hood is a reimagining of the well-known fairy tale, it still manages to contain two of the three criteria to snag teenagers’ attention. Throw in a love triangle and attractive leads and the package is complete to draw in a crowd. There is sufficient tension throughout the movie and the sets look like a medieval village, but the story is mostly predictable and unforgettable. (more…)

Title: Less Than Jake DVD [Anthology]

Format: DVD

Label: Sleep it Off Records

Rating:

Review by: Bill Jones

Despite the rather plain and simple name on the box of Less Than Jake DVD, the Gainesville ska band’s video-centric release contains four discs packed with more than eight hours of footage, effectively earning its other name, Anthology. And with six full album performances, extra live tracks and plenty more from over the years, it’s a collection Less Than Jake fans don’t need to think twice about picking up.

The first three discs contain three shows apiece, featuring the entire album performances of six of the band’s albums from a string of shows in Florida in 2007. Albums performed are Hello Rockview, Pezcore, Anthem, Borders and Boundaries, Losing Streak and In With the Out Crowd. The performances are the same as those seen on the bonus DVDs included with the Sleep It Off album rereleases (including the audio problems with Losing Streak), but they are uncut from start to finish, and each show features “bonus tracks” in this collection not seen on the other versions. (more…)

Title: The Very Best of WCW Monday Nitro

Format: Three-Disc DVD

Studio: WWE Home Video

Rating:

Review by: Bill Jones

The Monday Night Wars arguably played a large role in the success of World Wrestling Entertainment and Monday Night Raw, as the competition surely bred creativity. Wrestling fans were left wondering who would have the best matches, most outrageous moments and surprise defections each and every week, and even fans who swore allegiance to one brand or the other had a hard time not flipping channels between commercials in an attempt to see what they were missing.

WWE already documented this rivalry in Monday Night Wars, and already told the story of the Rise and Fall of WCW. Now, keeping in line with its latest three-disc sets, WWE is simply offering up The Very Best of WCW Monday Nitro, its one-time competitor. WWE now owns the brand, and it’s nice to see the company mining the archives and paying tribute to the show’s best moments. After all, most WWE fans missed them while they were busy watching the superior brand. (more…)