Wildlike (2015)

by Sara Michelle Fetters - September 25th, 2015 - Movie Reviews

Wildlike is the kind of simple, delicate, nondescript little independent film that sneaks up out of nowhere and melodiously breaks your heart clean in two. It’s a flower of a film growing to unimaginable heights in the cruelest of conditions, never wearing its emotions out in the open yet showcasing them just enough so they have a searing power that earn their tears with subtle, barely perceptible precision.

Wildlike is the kind of simple, delicate, nondescript little independent film that sneaks up out of nowhere and melodiously breaks your heart clean in two. It’s a flower of a film growing to unimaginable heights in the cruelest of conditions, never wearing its emotions out in the open yet showcasing them just enough so they have a searing power that earn their tears with subtle, barely perceptible precision.

Zathura: A Space Adventure (2005) – 10th Anniversary Edition

by Sara Michelle Fetters - September 24th, 2015 - Blu-ray and DVD

I’ve always liked Zathura, prefer it over the other Chris Van Allsburg adaptation Jumanji, director Jon Favreau doing a wonderful job bringing these storybook classic to life. Sony’s anniversary Blu-ray presentation doesn’t improve on the original release which means it’s excellent across the board, and if you don’t already own the previous version picking this one up is hardly a bad idea.

I’ve always liked Zathura, prefer it over the other Chris Van Allsburg adaptation Jumanji, director Jon Favreau doing a wonderful job bringing these storybook classic to life. Sony’s anniversary Blu-ray presentation doesn’t improve on the original release which means it’s excellent across the board, and if you don’t already own the previous version picking this one up is hardly a bad idea.

Jumanji (1995) – 20th Anniversary Edition

by Sara Michelle Fetters - September 24th, 2015 - Blu-ray and DVD

I don’t particularly care for Jumanji. I never have. It’s too frantic, too consumed with the razzle-dazzle, never focusing as solidly on the characters and their respective journeys as it should in order to mean something lasting. Still, Sony’s 20th anniversary Blu-ray, while no huge improvement over the previous edition, should please the fans, and for those who do not own the last disc picking this one up for the collection is worth going into the jungle in order to do.

I don’t particularly care for Jumanji. I never have. It’s too frantic, too consumed with the razzle-dazzle, never focusing as solidly on the characters and their respective journeys as it should in order to mean something lasting. Still, Sony’s 20th anniversary Blu-ray, while no huge improvement over the previous edition, should please the fans, and for those who do not own the last disc picking this one up for the collection is worth going into the jungle in order to do.

Cinderella (2015)

by Sara Michelle Fetters - September 19th, 2015 - Blu-ray and DVD

I’ve watched Branagh’s take on Cinderella (2015) a number of times now, and gosh darn if this just isn’t one of the year’s best motion pictures. Familiar story? Sure. Doesn’t do a great deal that’s not entirely expected? Of course. But that doesn’t mean the movie isn’t pretty darn close to perfect all the same.

I’ve watched Branagh’s take on Cinderella (2015) a number of times now, and gosh darn if this just isn’t one of the year’s best motion pictures. Familiar story? Sure. Doesn’t do a great deal that’s not entirely expected? Of course. But that doesn’t mean the movie isn’t pretty darn close to perfect all the same.

The Editor (2014)

by Sara Michelle Fetters - September 19th, 2015 - Blu-ray and DVD

I just wish it wasn’t so continually silly, so broadly played, so constantly intent on informing me just how full of crap all of this actually is to the point taking any single second of it seriously is a downright impossibility. The group of filmmakers behind The Editor (2014) love giallo and it shows, I just wish they made a better movie showcasing that affection, and as impressive as a lot of this might be my inability to connect to it on an emotional level is too gigantic and frustrating a hurdle for me to be able to comfortably overcome.

I just wish it wasn’t so continually silly, so broadly played, so constantly intent on informing me just how full of crap all of this actually is to the point taking any single second of it seriously is a downright impossibility. The group of filmmakers behind The Editor (2014) love giallo and it shows, I just wish they made a better movie showcasing that affection, and as impressive as a lot of this might be my inability to connect to it on an emotional level is too gigantic and frustrating a hurdle for me to be able to comfortably overcome.

Gotham: The Complete First Season (2014-2015)

by Sara Michelle Fetters - September 18th, 2015 - Blu-ray and DVD

There is potential lurking in Gotham, I’m just not sure there is enough of it to get me excited about giving the series a second shot during Season 2. Warner’s Blu-ray presentation, however, is immaculate, fans of the show almost certain to be more than satisfied if they add this four-disc set to their personal libraries.

There is potential lurking in Gotham, I’m just not sure there is enough of it to get me excited about giving the series a second shot during Season 2. Warner’s Blu-ray presentation, however, is immaculate, fans of the show almost certain to be more than satisfied if they add this four-disc set to their personal libraries.

Supernatural: The Complete Tenth Season (2014-2015)

by Sara Michelle Fetters - September 18th, 2015 - Blu-ray and DVD

upernatural remains a fine show. Very well acted, filled with terrific moments and always overflowing in strong ideas, there’s definitely still a ton of imagination propelling the ongoing saga of Sam and Dean Winchester forward. But the seams in all of this have been starting to show for some time now, as is the over-familiarity, and I’d be lying if I didn’t admit one of my absolute favorite television programs of all-time might have finally started down the path of wearing out its welcome. Still, I’m keeping the faith, and as far as series Blu-ray sets are concerned this is one of the best Warner has put together for the show yet, and as such comes more or less highly recommended.

upernatural remains a fine show. Very well acted, filled with terrific moments and always overflowing in strong ideas, there’s definitely still a ton of imagination propelling the ongoing saga of Sam and Dean Winchester forward. But the seams in all of this have been starting to show for some time now, as is the over-familiarity, and I’d be lying if I didn’t admit one of my absolute favorite television programs of all-time might have finally started down the path of wearing out its welcome. Still, I’m keeping the faith, and as far as series Blu-ray sets are concerned this is one of the best Warner has put together for the show yet, and as such comes more or less highly recommended.

Black Mass (2015)

by Sara Michelle Fetters - September 18th, 2015 - Movie Reviews

As procedurals go, Black Mass is no Zodiac or All the President’s Men, failing to find the emotional decrepitude lingering at the heart of the tale. As depictions of organized crime, as a saga of one man’s ascent to becoming a ferocious mob boss, once again the movie is no The Godfather, no A Most Violent Year, the scope too condensed, too rushed, to ever resonate as deeply and as passionately as necessary for the story to have any sort of meaning.

As procedurals go, Black Mass is no Zodiac or All the President’s Men, failing to find the emotional decrepitude lingering at the heart of the tale. As depictions of organized crime, as a saga of one man’s ascent to becoming a ferocious mob boss, once again the movie is no The Godfather, no A Most Violent Year, the scope too condensed, too rushed, to ever resonate as deeply and as passionately as necessary for the story to have any sort of meaning.

Everest (2015)

by Sara Michelle Fetters - September 18th, 2015 - Movie Reviews

considering the subject matter, it’s almost impossible not to walk out of Everest (2015) without being moderately impressed. Director Baltasar Kormákur (2 Guns, 101 Reykjavík) stages the majority of the key climbing sequences with dazzling eloquence, things achieving a devastatingly haunting quality at times that’s notable. But without a core connection to the characters involved in the chaos and heartbreak I find it difficult to embrace the film as fully as I’d honestly like to, and while the spectacle is impressive the dramatics at the heart of it all are sadly anything but.

considering the subject matter, it’s almost impossible not to walk out of Everest (2015) without being moderately impressed. Director Baltasar Kormákur (2 Guns, 101 Reykjavík) stages the majority of the key climbing sequences with dazzling eloquence, things achieving a devastatingly haunting quality at times that’s notable. But without a core connection to the characters involved in the chaos and heartbreak I find it difficult to embrace the film as fully as I’d honestly like to, and while the spectacle is impressive the dramatics at the heart of it all are sadly anything but.

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