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Archive for April, 2009

Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang Begins Photography

Wednesday, April 29th, 2009

Universal Pictures and Working Title Films—in association with Three Strange Angels Productions—announced today that principal photography begins early next month on Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang. Oscar®-winning actress and screenwriter Emma Thompson (Nanny McPhee, Sense and Sensibility) returns to the role of the magical nanny who appears when she’s wanted the least and needed the most in the next chapter of the hilarious and heartwarming fable that has enchanted children around the world.

The family comedy will be directed by BAFTA winner Susanna White (television’s Bleak House, Generation Kill, Jane Eyre). Also returning to the series are BAFTA-winning and Oscar®-nominated producers Lindsay Doran (Nanny McPhee, Stranger Than Fiction, Sense and Sensibility)—in her fifth collaboration with Thompson—and Working Title’s Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner (see credits below). In addition to starring and writing, Thompson will executive produce, along with Working Title’s Debra Hayward and Liza Chasin.

In the latest installment, Nanny McPhee jumps forward in time and appears at the door of a harried young mother who is trying to run the family farm while her husband is away at war. But once she’s arrived, Nanny McPhee discovers that Mrs. Green’s children are fighting a war of their own against two nasty, snobby cousins who have just moved in and refuse to leave. From flying motorcycles and statues that come to life to a tree-climbing piglet and a baby elephant that turns up in the oddest places, Nanny McPhee uses her magic to teach her mischievous charges five new lessons.

Joining Thompson and Gyllenhaal for the project are Rhys Ifans (Notting Hill, The Boat That Rocked) as Mrs. Green’s villainous brother-in-law, Phil; Asa Butterfield (The Boy in the Striped Pajamas) as Mrs. Green’s eldest son, Norman; and legendary two-time Academy Award®-winning actress Dame Maggie Smith (Becoming Jane, Harry Potter series) as the somewhat befuddled Mrs. Docherty. Two-time Academy Award®-nominated actor Ralph Fiennes (The Constant Gardener, Harry Potter series) lends his talents for a cameo in the film.

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X-Men Volume Two DVD Review

Tuesday, April 28th, 2009

X-men volume one gave us a great introduction for a great series, in it our heroes faced great evils like Magneto, Apocalypse and MR Sinister. In Volume two the story begins to take form for one of the best stories in X-Men history, also new and impressive characters are shown like the deadly Omega Red, Lady death Strike and impressive heroes like Colossus and MS Marvel make some appearances. Second volume improves some minor animation errors made on the first volume, and continue portraying the amazing story of the X-Men, including two great sagas like the Time fugitive saga and of course one of my favorite x-men stories The Phoenix Saga. There is no doubt that this DVD set is one of the most complete ones since it does not have this stories but also it has crucial episodes that define many characters. I have to thank Disney in releasing the firs two volumes back to back. It made me reminisce on my child hood as I relived this incredible series.

Volume Two begins where Volume one left us, with Xavier lost and the X-men searching for him, however what makes this volume great is that there is a more deep and interesting story evolving from it, than just a search adventure. Also here we get to know more about the bonds between Xavier and Magneto, the story of Rogue, some of Wolverine Past, and the X-men future, culminating with the exciting Phoenix Saga. I have to say that most of my favorite episodes are in this set. Like all the series this episodes are full with great and deep stories, awesome and colorful character designs, action, social issues, imaginative situations and one of the best character development I ever seen in animated movies. And like in the first volume in this set we also have guess appearances by other Marvel characters, specially in the phoenix saga. The only set back of the series is an episode that seems more like a filler than an actual continuation of the story the one called Mojovision. Everything else the series flow very smoothly.

Technically speaking I have to say the same as in the first volume: it looks just like in 1992. Which is good enough since I knew what I was getting, These series did not have fast pace animation like today’s series, but it is more intuitive and suggesting, besides for the time it was created the episodes looks as best as they can, and of course the stories make up for this, it would be great for marvel to recreate the exact same series with today’s animation.

Like in the previous volume the excitement continues in this one, it will grab you from beginning to end, except on the Mojovision episode which seems more of a comical satire episode making fun of Classical shows like Miami Vice, A Team, and Star Wars or Star Trek. Everything else is full with great action and it is kept loyal to the comic books. The volume has a total of 17 episodes in two disks, and what is to admire is that as the first one, volume 2 finishes each saga from beginning to end, which gives us an impression that we are concluding a book, however unlike the first one this ending seems to leave the story open, or suggest that the conflict is not over. I recommend this DVD to all the X-Men fans, it is a most have. You could relate this series to the movies, like the upcoming one: X-Men origins: Wolverine, since we get to know a lot of his past. Without a doubt this series is a classic, it will entertained people of all ages, and should be in any fan of superheroes movies collection.

Review By Milo

Release Date: April 28, 2009

DVD DETAILS
OWN DVD

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X-Men Volume One DVD Review

Tuesday, April 28th, 2009

Finally! After almost 20 years since its debut on TV in 1992 X-Men the Animated Series is being released in its DVD format. I was really surprised to see that one of the most accurate and successful adaptations of a comic book series was being left out from the home entertaining market. In X-men we might not see an outstanding high tech animation or audio like in today‘s Saturday morning cartoons, however it is full of great and deep stories, the best and most accurate designs, action, social issues (like in all X-Men Comic Books), and much more. I don’t know if Disney and Marvel were waiting for a perfect moment for these released (which I considered that the first X-Men movie would have been more appropriate time), but with the upcoming movie X- Men Origins: Wolverine which had created a lot of hype, I think there has not been a better moment to catch up, refresh or relived the stories that entertained us for almost 5 years.

X-Men Volume one begins with one of my favorite stories from the X-Men Universe “Night of the Sentinels Part 1 and 2.” With these episodes the mood is set, and through out the series, we realized that this are not the average Saturday morning cartoons, yes it has all the aspects and characteristics of those kind of cartoons but it adds more to it. We see that these episodes touch many deep issues and problems faced in America every day, also that the series is willing to go where no other cartoon series had the courage to go before: it kills characters. After that the series begin to flow with episodes linked one another with incredible adventures featuring great, powerful and popular villains like Magneto, MR Sinister and Apocalypse. These series setting is also one of the best I ever seen, like in the comic books, the series takes place in the whole Marvel Universe, which makes them more exciting since we get to see reference from other marvel heroes and villains, like Ms Marvel, Dead Shot Dr Strange, or future X-men like Cable and Bishop. This adds great excitement since we realize that each story could go anywhere from different cities, countries, to a distant future, or space.

Technically I have to say it looks just like in 1992. I do not know how could that be interpreted. To me it was good enough since I knew what I was getting, I knew that these series did not have fast pace animation like today’s series. It is more intuitive and suggesting, besides for the time it was created the episodes looks as best as they can. Voice acting wise this is the best ever, I think these character had set the standard of how the X Men should sound, anytime Wolverine is mentioned Cal Dodd’s voice performance should come to mind. He is Wolverine, same goes to Gambit and Chris Potter. The other character are also well interpreted.

Last week I referred to Wolverine and the X-men as a Fresh take on the already known story. Well if you do not know the story this is the set you Should start with. This Set will give you the most accurate version of the mutant story beside the books. It tells the origin of the characters and their struggle the best way possible. The volume has a total of 16 episodes in two disks, and what is to admire is that each volume close each main saga, it does not let us in the middle of the story waiting for the conclusion, however it leave us wanting for more. I recommend this DVD to all the X-Men fans, it is a most have. You could relate this series to the movies, the new animated series and way not the upcoming X-Men movies. Also to any person who enjoys animated series like batman and Spiderman will find in X-Men a great time. Another great thing about this Volume is that after watching it you could follow the story almost immediately since the second volume is also released on the same day.

Review By Milo

Release Date: April 28, 2009

DVD DETAILS
OWN DVD

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Hotel For Dogs Blu-ray Review

Monday, April 27th, 2009

REVIEW: Remember that movie with Diane Lane and John Cusack, what was it? Oh yeah, Must Love Dogs. Well, it’s not a requirement but it does help if you really want to enjoy this movie. One of Priscilla’s favorite dogs is the French bulldog. She would already have one if she could afford to get one. They are not cheap at all. If any of you know of any French bulldogs out there that are available at a decent price, please, please, send me an email. Or if you would like to contribute to the “Let’s Get Priscilla a French Bulldog Fund”, let me know as well. I’m going on and on about this and yet I’m not even sure if one of the canine stars in this movie is a French bulldog. I love dogs but I’m not a professional classifier. I still can’t tell a French bulldog from a Boston terrier. They look the same to me. Georgia, be it French or Boston, is one of the many adorable dogs used in this fun, light-hearted picture. If Priscilla would have gone with me to the screening, she would have been able to tell me what kind of dog Georgia is as well as what kind of dog Friday is too. I think he looks like a long-haired Jack Russell, but what do I know. Friday is the main canine star and he and his buddies steal every scene they are in. Friday is an ingenious dog that has the talent of finding and eating food and what a healthy appetite he has. Each of the other four legged stars has its own talent as well. We have chewers, fetchers, howlers, and even lovers. All of them have found the home they needed at this abandoned hotel thanks to Bruce (Jake T. Austin) and Andi (Emma Roberts), orphan siblings that have an affinity for dogs. Oh yeah, there are humans in this movie too. They all did as good as you would expect for this kind of movie. Bruce and Andi are trouble makers but they are ingenious trouble makers. Their hearts lie on the desire to be part of a loving family and so they created one for themselves and will defend it at any cost.

This film is geared more toward kids and based on the feedback I noticed during the screening, they will enjoy it. From the very beginning, there was audience participation with the movie as they clapped along with the opening music. There were kids galore in the audience and they were pumped and excited to watch this film. There were plenty of aw’s and oh’s throughout and it concluded with a nice round of applause. The story is predictable and cliché at times, down to the mean and nasty dog catchers, so you grown-ups might enjoy the movie more if accompanied by children, unless you’re a major fan of dogs. But regardless, the message that this movie delivers is for everyone. It sheds light on the fact that so many really good dogs are in need of a loving family and home. In the movie they get a hotel but in our world it might not be that simple. Director Thor Freudenthal did a good job of tugging at our heart strings by showing us the importance of being part of a loving family, both human and pet alike.

Film Review By Cine Marcos

BLU-RAY: The film is presented in 1080P widescreen in a 1.85:1 aspect ration preserving its theatrical format. The picture is just flawless, giving the film vast array of vivid colors. Not only the picture looks excellent in this release, also the sound it is good, a English 5.1-TrueHD Master Audio as well as a 5.1 Dolby Digital in French and Spanish. It also includes subtitles in English, French , Spanish and Portuguese. The audio capture in detail the sounds of man’s best friend.

In terms of special features the blu-ray includes, the usual making of featurette and about the more short featurettes that focus more on the canines. It also includes about eight deleted scenes and Commentary by Thor Freudenthal, Ewan “Jack” Leslie, Emma Roberts and Jake T. Austin. All of the special features in thu=is release are in HD, which is a good thing.
Overall Hotel for Dogs is a nice surprise, even if you are force to watch this film, you will find that it wasn’t bad. You actually may end up recommend it.

Release Date: April 28, 2009

BLU-RAY DETAILS
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