HBO has ripped apart the pages of the rich and compelling fantasy saga penned by George R.R. Martin and crafted a cable series that decisively gained a cult-like following practically overnight. Game of Thrones is a compelling television series set in the mystical Seven Kingdoms of Westeros following several “noble” families as they struggle, scheme and compete against each other to gain dominion over the kingdom and control of the Iron Throne. Game of Thrones: The Complete First Season
Some movies defy genre, others simply reveal how little you know about them. Kung Fu Hustle does a bit of both. Entertainment Weekly describes the movie as Kill Bill meets Looney Tunes and in some aspects this is correct. However, martial arts films historically have had humor embedded in them. Kung Fu Hustle is no different, except that the comedy is over the top, right along with the action. Set in 1940’s China the story unfolds around a gang member hopeful and the greatest fighters of all-time who live in secret as lowly residents in a small community complex that the gang wants to take over. Kung Fu Hustle makes a unique and entertaining addition to both your comedy and action movie collections. Kung Fu Hustle
The plays of William Shakespeare have been celebrated around the world for years. However, for well over two hundred years questions regarding these works remain unanswered. The most prominent question of them all being, “Is William Shakespeare the author?” Directed by Roland Emmerich (Universal Soldier, Independence Day, Stargate), even though the film is about Shakespeare, Anonymous seeps with well placed action, acting and vivid story telling. Creative license and strong characters will have you scratching your head regarding the accuracy of history and the truth of William Shakespeare.
The Criterion Collection has included Hideo Gosha’s Three Outlaw Samurai to its growing vault of celebrated international films. The first feature film by Hideo Gosha, 3 Outlaws is an unheralded classic chanbara (sword-fighting) film. Revenge and murder push the story of two samurai hired to slay a band of rebellious peasants who kidnap the daughter of a magistrate but they happen across a wandering ronin with a strict code of honor and no fear of death. Skilled action and carefully crafted storytelling placed against an elegant black and white canvas makes this film a must have for lovers of samurai movies. Digitally restored with uncompressed audio and a new English subtitle translation, the Criterion Collection release also includes a booklet with an essasy by film critic Bilge Ebiri. Three Outlaw Samurai
Ryan Gosling’s Drive is a slow burn action flick that seeps of 80’s nostalgia. Drive is heralded by critics and audiences for the tone, realism and the ability to realistically capture the gritty underbelly of Los Angeles (in a way that doesn’t revolve around the typical gang bangers). The film does have slow moments, but when the violence and action shows up, it is worth the wait. Don’t expect to see lots of high-speed chases though. Drive is somewhat of love story, lead by the characters, the scene and the music. Gosling is a stunt driver who moonlights as a wheelman for criminals. He takes interest in his neighbor and her son and all is well, until her husband comes back from prison. To say more than that really ruins the film. Some critics note that with such a title, Drive should have more action. You would want that, but that is not what the move is about. Drive is not about cars, Drive is about determination. Drive.
The Adventures of Tintin, Steven Spielberg’s first full-length animated film is packed with action, drama and adventure. Follow news reporter Tintin and his dog Snowy as they journey around the world; through the skies and across the seas; in hopes to solve a mystery and find a treasure, all with the constant threat of a curse over Tintin’s shoulders. With a cast that includes Daniel Craig (James Bond, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) and Andy Serkis (known for his work as Gollum and more recently as Caesar in Rise of the Planet of the Apes), The Adventures of Tintin almost flawlessly combines great storytelling with motion capture and CGI animation for the making of great animated film. Tintin pays homage to and that stays true to the original early 20th century classic comics, yet brings excitement that you can enjoy today. Pre-order Tintin and you save 51%.
Boardwalk Empire is a prohibition era series laden with sex, violence and the syndicated crime elements that were celebrated in another HBO series, the Sopranos. This of course can be traced back to the series creator Terence Winter, a Sopranos series writer and co-producer Martin Scorsese, director of the Departed, Goodfellas and Casino. Historical figures and well crafted fictional characters align almost seamlessly in the reality-based but completely imagined series. However, historical facts are not the draw in Boardwalk Empire, much like Mad Men, Boardwalk draws on the current captivation of the ideals, lives and legends of not so distant time periods, but thrown into cauldrons of bloodlust, temptation and greed against intellectual backdrops and social circumstances similar in spirit to those of today, but in much nicer clothes.
Adapted from a Nelson Johnson book of the same name, Boardwalk Empire revolves around real life political figure and Atlantic County treasurer, Enoch “Nucky” Johnson, who aside from being a duteous civil servant, controlled an organization that involved gambling, prostitution and bootlegging during the Prohibition Era in then wildly popular, Atlantic City. Boardwalk Empire is a glimpse into the complex life of Nucky, plus the social and political workings of the era, which are just as complicated, if not even more. Boardwalk Empire: The Complete First Season allows you enjoy the show some critics are calling a classic in the making.
The Les Miserables 25th anniversary concert brings the spectacular musical to life like never before. Recorded at London’s O2 Arena, the 25th Anniversary of Les Miserables is a celebration of the ever popular musical with stellar performances from an all-star ensemble comprised of various Les Mis cast members from the last 25 years, along with new faces; weaving a delightful fabric of song and emotion. Technological advances in lighting, video and sound significantly outperform previous stage performances and earlier video editions of Les Miserables, setting this version completely apart. Plus, now you get the best seats in the house.
There seems to be a swelling undercurrent hoping for Will Smith to fail with the Men in Black sequel. Media outlets have picked up on this and where there was never malice, now even they are stirring the pot of discontent towards the multi-talented Smith. Until the movie box-office receipts are counted and the haters go home mad, check out Will in what is shaping up to be a modern classic, “The Enemy of the State“.
On Blu-Ray or digital, Will Smith plays a DC lawyer unexpectedly caught in a web of political espionage and murder. As Jon Voight leads the merciless NSA unit in pursuit and every aspect of his digital life betraying him, he finds help in a former agent portrayed by Gene Hackman. Giving you things to consider without being preachy or parental, Enemy of the State, in the context of society since its’ initial release encompasses more than explosions and technology. Pick it up.
Rolling out for purchase like the Red Shark across the open highway, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is appropriately available as a Criterion Collection Blu-Ray.
Superbly directed by Terry Gilliam and fueled with amazing performances by Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro, Fear and Loathing is a rare film that captures the sweet vaporous essence of the book it is based upon.
The characters lift the text proportionately from print to screen and carefully submerge you deep within their drug-induced adventures. If you did not read the book, you are not in the cold and if you did, you enjoy the film even more. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
