Crazy Heart: Blu-ray (2009)

Jeff Bridges is awesome. He's been awesome since his debut in 1971's The Last Picture Show. He was awesome in the 80's (Starman, The Fabulous Baker Boys), 90's (The Fisher King, The Big Lebowski) and 00's (The Contender, Seabiscuit). Even with all the great things he has done Bridges has never been as awesome as he is in Crazy Heart - except for The Dude but that's a given.

Bridges plays Otis "Bad" Blake an alcoholic, former country star who refuses to write new material and is now reduced to playing small gigs in local dive bars and bowling alley's. He has no money, no family and no real career. During a tour he meets Jean (Maggie Gyllenhaall), a small town reporter and divorced mother and they start up a relationship. As their relationship grows Bad shows signs of creative spark but can he overcome his demons and attain redemption both in his personal life and with his music?

Bridges won the Best Actor Oscar for his performance here and it was very well deserved. He embodies a broken down alcoholic in ever movement and every breath. This is one of those roles that after seeing the movie there is no way to ever picture another actor as Bad Blake. Gyllenhaal is very good as well but her part is a bit underwritten ( it's never really clear why she would fall in love with Bad in the first place). The rest of the supporting performances (Colin Farrell, Robert Duvall) are all very good as well and make the most of their limited screen time.
 
Obviously in a story about a country music singer, country music is going to play a huge role in the film so I'm going to preface by saying I hate contemporary mainstream country music with a passion. It's fake, manufactured and has no soul. Luckily Bad Blake's music - and the rest of the music in the film - is in line with 1970's "outlaw" country music and is excellent. Bridges (and Colin Farrell, who knew?) can really sing and the original songs (written by a bunch of artists and supervised by T-Bone Burnett) are all very enjoyable. The music scenes are the best aspect of Crazy Heart and a great reminder that not all country music sucks.

Unfortunately the love story never really clicks. As I mentioned before the reasons that Jean falls in love with Bad are never really clear and it just doesn't always ring true. Crazy Heart also doesn't exactly break new ground in it's story of redemption and love. Everything is a bit familiar and it always feels like we've seen this story before. These issues don't prevent the movie from working but they do hold it back from being a classic.

Much like the movie itself, the blu-ray is solid but unspectacular. The video transfer is crisp, with fine colorization and excellent detail. Crazy Heart just isn't the type of movie that is going to provide a big visual "wow" factor but it looks good and suits the story perfectly. The audio is strong as well. The movie is almost entirely dialogue driven and that aspect is always clear and easily understandable. There isn't much to speak of as far as low end support and surrounds are basically used only for ambiance but anything different would seem very forced. The track does open up significantly during the concert scenes and the music sounds fantastic. Guitars are crisp, drums are tight and the vocals are strong.

Crazy Heart is a very good movie but it's story is nothing groundbreaking. Bridges deserved the Best Actor Oscar he won as his performance is fantastic. I also enjoyed the soundtrack much more than what passes for country music these days. Bridges and the music make the film worth watching but I'm not sure if the overall film will warrant multiple viewings.

Ratings:
Movie: 4/5
Blu-ray: 4/5

Avatar: Blu-ray (2009)

Ever heard of some little movie called Avatar? I think it did OK at the box office. It's apparently so amazing that there were people who suffered from post-Avatar depression because their lives weren't nearly as awesome as the world in the film. That alone must make it among the best movies of all time!

Anyway, I'm not gonna pretend that anyone really cares what I think about the movie itself but here we go. The story is incredibly unoriginal, the acting ranges from adequate to laughably bad, the films message is shoved down your throat at every possible moment and finally it's too long and fairly slow paced for an action flick. Does any of that matter? The answer is a resounding NO! The level of visual innovation alone makes up for almost everything that's wrong with the rest of the movie. Add in a bunch of exciting action scenes, special effects that are a new standard in filmmaking, and flawless CGI images and the movie is still a total winner. While I don't think it was one of the best movies of last year it was definitely the best theatrical experience.

Now to the important part, how does the blu-ray look? Do you get the same sense of awe that you experienced in the theaters? Yes and yes. Even being in only 2D (the 3D version will probably be available around the holidays and drive sales of 3D television's insanely high) the video is glorious. I originally thought that without 3D the flaws in the movie would be much more apparent and hinder the viewing experience. I was wrong. There is no way to describe how amazing the picture quality is. Colors pop like crazy, blacks are deep and effective. Detail is outstanding, etc. etc. etc. This is going to be playing on displays at Best Buy for a long, long time. The audio is just as fantastic as the video. The DTS-HD track is expectedly loud and powerful. Low end is some of the deepest I have ever heard, surrounds are constantly active in both action scenes and during the quieter moments. Directionality is perfect, nothing seems out of place or unwarranted. Dialogue is never lost in the mix and always easily understood. The only downside (and a clear sign of numerous versions of Avatar being released eventually) is that there are no extra features included.

Despite a number of flaws, Avatar is a rousing success. Anyone in fear that it wouldn't hold up well without the 3D experience does not have to worry. The blu-ray has perhaps the most technically impressive transfer seen on the format yet. The double-dipping factor is the one thing that keeps this from being a must buy, (unless of course you don't want to suffer from post Avatar blu-ray depression) but if you can't wait for a more fleshed out release you will surely not be disappointed in this one.

Ratings:

Movie: 4/5
Blu-ray: 5/5

Minority Report: Blu-ray (2002)

There aren't that many Stephen Spielberg movies yet available on blu-ray (Close Encounters, Indiana Jones and the Crappy Aliens, Saving Private Ryan next month), so anytime one is released it's a pretty big deal. Minority Report isn't usually considered among Stephen Spielberg's best work but it's right there on the second tier of his films along with Catch Me If You Can and Munich.

The movie is a mix of sci-fi, action and noir that asks an intriguing question about foreknowledge and free will. Is the future set or can we as people alter it? My biggest complaint with Minority Report is that the film never really digs deep into that question. It instead opts for a enjoyable and superbly directed chase movie. It's viscerally exciting and well acted by the cast (Tom Cruise, Colin Farrell, Max Von Sydow being the main parts) but there's just not as much under he surface as there could have been. With that and a few other minor nitpicks (the comic relief can be pretty painful and the movie runs a tad too long) aside, it's easy to focus on all the good things Spielberg presents us with. The visuals are impressive, special effects are seamless and the set design is wonderful. Characters seem real and there is some heart at the center of it a well. In the end Minority Report is really just a fun, exciting and fairly intelligent popcorn flick and while there's nothing wrong with that, it could have been more.

The blu-ray is technically terrific. While the color scheme is fairly muted, with everything tending to blacks, grays and blues, it looks fantastic. Shadows are of great importance for the film's style and thankfully black levels are very strong. They really helps set the noirish look and feel of the film. Detail as well is outstanding. Facial features are readily apparent and the shots of scenery reveal things I had never noticed on DVD. The audio as well it great. Low end is powerful, surrounds are put to great use in the action scenes and there is plenty of ambiance in the quieter moments. Dialogue is never lost in the mix, rounding out an all around excellent experience.

While there are a couple things that hold Minority Report back from being a true classic, it's a solid and entertaining flick nonetheless. The blu-ray is fantastic and worth the upgrade for fans.

Ratings:

Movie: 4/5
Blu-ray: 5/5

Weekend Video: Gorillaz (Feat Bobby Womack, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon): Stylo

I generally hate fake bands but I actually like Gorillaz. I really do but my bias against electronic music makes them very difficult to get into. The original video for the song "Stylo" is pretty cool but I just don't like the sound of computerized instruments. I guess that's why the version they played last night on "The Colbert Report" is far superior. Live instruments just sound better and that's a fact. While it's too bad Mos Def wasn't there but Bobby Womack still has the goods. Add in Mick Jones and Paul Simonon of The Clash and you're gonna win my heart. Anyway here's the aforementioned video.

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Gorillaz - Stylo
www.colbertnation.com
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The Box: Blu-ray (2009)

Richard Kelly made his name with 2001's Donnie Darko. After the success of that film Kelly took 6 years to deliver it's follow up Southland Tales. Darko was a serious examination of teenage angst and instability with little humor. Kelly tried mixing in comedic aspects with Southland but it's 2.5 hour runtime was far to long to hold up all the way through. Obviously he learned from some of his mistakes and with his 3rd full length picture The Box, Kelly has finally given the world the comedy classic we've been waiting for.

The Box is based on the Richard Matheson short story "Button, Button." While on the surface it would appear to be an odd source for comedy, Kelly's genius as a writer and director, along with the casts impeccable comedic skills, really make the movie work. The premise is simple, in 1976 Norma and Arther Lewis (Cameron Diaz and James Marsden) are presented with the opportunity of a lifetime by a mysterious stranger calling himself Arlington Steward (Frank Langella). Steward gives the couple a box with a button and tells them if they push said button they will receive one million dollars. The other consequence is that someone in the world, who they don't personally know, will die. If they do not push the button nothing will change for them and life will go on as is. The Lewis' are in financial trouble and could really use the money but are they prepared to deal with the consequences of their actions?

The true genius of The Box is that it's an amazing comedy that does not rely on jokes. Instead Kelly relies on his excellent cast and an array of visual gags to deliver the laughs. Diaz gives her best performance since There's Something About Mary. Her intentionally terrible southern accent is sure to put a grin on everyones faces every time he speaks. Marsden's performance isn't as showy but the complete lack of emotion he gives vocally and in his facial expressions can only be an homage to Buster Keaton. Langella serves as the straight man in the film and he portrays the role with excellence Even with all the insanity happening around him he never breaks from his steely, half-faced gaze. Kelly shows a great knack for comedic casting with his choices in supporting characters. The mix of familiar faces and fresh newcomers steal most every scene they are in. The blank and hilariously menacing stares they give throughout the film are eerily reminiscent of the actors from any Ed Wood film, they are simply priceless. Kelley's screenplay is fantastic as well. He throws so many implausible situations and circumstances into the mix that the writers of 30 Rock will inevitably be picking his brain for inspiration in the near future. Kelly also gets the biggest laugh of all with his amazing directorial choice in a pivotal party scene. Having multiple characters dance, what can only be described as a spastic jitterbug, to the Marshall Tucker Band's classic song "Can't You See" is the best visual gag in the flick.

Technically the blu-ray is serviceable but unspectacular. The color scheme is generally muted but when they do appear they are strong. Black levels are represented well and detail is perfectly fine but nothing spectacular. Audio wise, as with most comedies, The Box is a dialogue driven affair so there's not much room for the audio track to stretch it's muscle. When it does open up, usually for it's classic rock soundtrack, it does so with excellent clarity and presence.

The Box must be seen to believe. With the source material and Richard Kelly's track record I was expecting another sci-fi/thriller of varying success. Instead I got a laugh riot from start to finish. Rarely does a film come together this well on all fronts. The writing, direction and acting are all top-notch and hilarious and the entire 2 hours just flies by. The Box is a comedy classic for a new generation!

Movie 5/5
Blu-ray 4/5

The Slackers: The Great Rocksteady Swindle (2010)

I'll just start with a full disclaimer: I love the Slackers. They can do no wrong in my book and The Great Rocksteady Swindle is no exception. There aren't many bands playing ska these days and even less that do it in a traditional style without mixing in punk influences. The Slackers are such a band but they also branch out into rocksteady and reggae with equal skill, all the while mixing in a heavy dose of soul. This is also the most collaborative record the Slackers have ever made, with all 6 members getting at least 2 writing credits.

"How It Feels" kicks the album off and does a fantastic job of setting the tone for the rest of whats to follow. "Because," "Cheated," "A Long Way Off" and "Don't Look Back" all are in same vein, with laid-back rhythms and keyboardist Vic Ruggerio's spoken/singsong vocals that fit the music perfectly. While those laid-back rhythms are the norm, there are some excellent exceptions as well. The soul stomp of "Thank You" could easily fit on a Stax record from the late 60's and the album closing "The Same Everyday" could be the best song Toots Hibbert never wrote. Trombonist Glen Pine takes the lead on 3 songs and his soulful style is a nice contrast with Ruggerio's rougher vocals. "Anastasia" and "Daddy" are both beautiful tracks with great melody's. "Bo Evil" is the most rockin' tune here and Pine really gets to let loose, giving the album a nice change of pace.

The entire band has been together for quite a while now and it really shows in their musical interplay. Pine and saxophonist David Hillyard make up one of the best horn sections in ska today with Hillyard's solos being constant highlights. The rest of the band (guitarist Jay Nugent, bassist Marcus Geard and drummer Ara Babajian) keep the rhythms tight and the beats flowing extremely well without being overly flashy.

While most of the the music sounds like it could have been recorded in Jamaica circa 1968, the lyrics are thoroughly modern. "Sabina" tells the affecting story of an abused woman who starts a new life in Iraq. "Tool Shed" is directly related to today's American economy and "Mr. Tragedy" is a darkly comic look at a melodramatic person who's always threatening to commit suicide. Most of the rest of the tracks deal with relationships and the inevitable mistakes we all make in them.

The Great Rocksteady Swindle might not add anything new to the Slackers canon but it's another rock solid and thoroughly enjoyable album. There's nothing even resembling a bad track included and it flows remarkably well. It's a perfect soundtrack for a warm summer day with a cold beer and good tunes.

Rating: 4/5

Track Listing:

1. "How It Feels" - 3:38
2. "Because" - 2:53
3. "Mr. Tragedy" - 3:48
4. "Sabina" - 4:18
5. "Cheated" - 4:20
6. "Daddy" - 3:10
7. "A Long Way Off" - 3:35
8. "Bo Evil" - 3:02
9. "Tool Shed" - 3:15
10. "Ain't No Sunshine" - 3:55
11. "Don't Look Back" - 4:23
12. "Anastasia" - 3:51
13. "Thank You" - 2:47
14. "The TV Dinner Song" - 3:20
15. "The Same Everyday" - 3:44

Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings: I Learned the Hard Way (2010)

There isn't a better retro-soul band in the business today than Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings. While they may not bring anything new to the table there is no better place to go for fantastic channeling of 60's soul and some 70's funk. It's easy to get caught up in the sound of the band but that would mean overlooking the actual songs and the songs on I Learned the Hard Way are uniformly superb.

"The Game Gets Old," and the title track are sweeping soul numbers. "Better Things," "I'll Still Be True" and "Without a Heart" show off the bands funk influences. "Give it Back" and "Window Shopping" are both excellent slow tunes that add some balance. Album closer "Mama Don't Like My Man" ends the proceedings on a basic Sam Cooke feel and is my favorite song on the album.

While the band is tight and relays their vintage sounds in superb  fashion, Jones is the star of the show. Her singing has always been extremely powerful but she adds a lot in terms of variations and subtlety this time around. While previous albums found her relying almost exclusively on the force in her voice, she shows more restraint on songs like "If You Call" and the result is beautiful. Lyrically they never stray too far from the heartbreak theme that has dominated all their work. Lyrical genius this is not but it's hardly offensive and suits the music perfectly.

You pretty much know what you're going to get going into I learned the Hard Way and there are no new revelations here but that's not the point. It's very enjoyable from start to finish. Anyone with an affinity for 60's soul is missing out by not listening to this band.

Rating: 4/5

Track Listing

1. "The Game Gets Old" - 3:55
2. "I Learned the Hard Way" - 3:47
3. "Better Things" - 3:40
4. "Give It Back" - 3:22
5. "Money" - 3:22
6. "The Reason" - 2:20
7. "Window Shopping" - 4:35
8. "She Ain't a Child No More" - 2:35
9. "I'll Still Be True" - 3:48
10. "Without a Heart" - 2:45
11. "If You Call" - 3:00
12. "Mama Don't Like My Man" - 2:31

The Lovely Bones: Blu-ray (2009)

Director/co-writer Peter Jacksons attempts to create a compelling mix of murder mystery and fantasy with The Lovely Bones. Susie Salmon (Saoirse Ronan) is a 14 year old with the normal problems of a 14 year old girl. She's confused by boys, gets embarrassed by her parents (Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz) and dreams of bigger things than her 1970's small town upbringing will likely allow. Oh yeah she's got an unusual problem as well. She's dead, having been murdered by her neighbor (Stanley Tucci). The movie deals with Susie looking down on how her family copes with her death from the afterlife and the investigation into her murder.

The movie has a lot going for it. Jackson has obviously succeeded in the fantasy realm with The Lord of the Rings trilogy and his 1994 film Heavenly Creatures shows that he can create a moving story dealing with Teenage girls and reality as well. The movie is visually stunning, the scenes from the afterlife are great to look at and are full of imagination. Jackson adds a lot of cool camera flourishes that, at least standing on their own, look great. The cast is excellent as well. Ronan has a very tricky part to play and does an admirable job with her performance as well as supplying the voiceover work. Tucci was nominated for an well deserved Oscar for his performance as the neighbor who has a need to kill. Wahlberg and Weisz both get some moments to shine and while their performances are a mixed bad, when they are on they are fantastic. Susan Sarandon and Michael Imperioli also give excellent supporting performances as Salmon's grandmother and the cop in charge of the murder investigation.

I really wanted to like The Lovely Bones but in the end it just doesn't come together as a whole. The entire movie has a very disjointed feel. The tone shifts from grizzly murder, to happy fantasy, then to melodrama without warning. All the fancy camera work really doesn't add anything to the story and the movie drags on far too long. It's clear from the opening that Suzie is dead and the identity of her murderer is never in doubt. Having never read the book on which the movie is based, I don't know if that's how it was written but from a cinematic aspect it takes away any mystery from the murder mystery aspect and sucks a lot of potential tension out of the movie. The sudden changes in tone make it very hard to emotionally connect with any of the characters and by the end of the movie I had lost all interest in anything that was happening. Overall there's just too much of a disconnection from the different aspects of the film.

The blu-ray is technically amazing. The video transfer is beautiful. Colors are vibrant, detail is terrific and the overall image rates as close to perfection as it gets. The audio is great as well. The livelier scenes come alive and are very immersive with plenty of surround use. Low end is not a high priority or constant but at times it is very powerful. The quieter scenes are not as impressive but dialogue is always clear and accurate.

The Lovely Bones did not work for me as a cohesive story. That's not to say there aren't worthwhile moments because there are plenty but those moments never really come together. Anyone who can handle the sudden shifts in tone and the disjointed feel, has a very real possibility to enjoy it but ultimately the shortcomings are just too much to overcome.

Ratings
Movie: 2/5
Blu-ray: 5/5

Dr. Dog: Shame, Shame (2010)

I'm pretty sure every review of every Dr. Dog album ever written includes references The Beatles, The Beach Boys and The Band so I'll just get it out of the way right now. Yes Dr. Dog pulls from each of those groups in equal measure but they are a fantastic band in their own right. Shame, Shame is the groups 6th full length and while their sound remains relatively unchanged that doesn't mean there aren't tweaks to it either.

Dr. Dog has stated they wanted this album to better represent their live sound and there is certainly a more direct feel to the record. A lot of production flourishes that have been present of their previous recordings have been streamlined. Electric guitars are heavier and more pronounced as well. "Stranger," "Later" and "Mirror, Mirror" rock as hard as anything the band has ever recorded (this is very relative since nobody is going to mistake them for Motorhead). If you've listened to Dr. Dog in the past do not be worried, their base sound is still very much the same, it's just the edges that are slightly different. The beautiful harmonies that dominate every Dr. Dog album have not been abandoned and are better than ever. Lyrically Shame, Shame is darker than previous albums but that darkness is relative and balanced by the joyous sounds of the music. Only "Station" and "Someday" sound weary and they add a nice mixture of sounds to the overall feel.

I'm not going to go so far as to say Shame, Shame is Dr. Dog's best album but it is their most accessible and most purely enjoyable on the surface. It's a no brainer for fans of Dr. Dog's past work and should attract new listeners without shame.

Rating 4/5

Track List

1. "Stranger" - 3:44
2. "Shadow People" - 4:13
3. "Station" - 3:11
4. "Unbearable Why" - 3:13
5. "Where'd All the Time Go?" - 3:55
6. "Later" - 3:09
7. "I Only Wear Blue" - 3:43
8. "Someday" - 3:21
9. "Mirror, Mirror" - 2:50
10. "Jackie Wants a Black Eye" - 3:05
11. "Shame, Shame" - 5:16

Streetlight Manifesto: 99 Songs of the Revolution: Volume 1 (2010)

Cover songs and especially full albums are tricky. They can be fantastic reinventions of songs you know, purely enjoyable tracks that don't stray to far from the originals or in the worst case, absolute trash. For ska-punks Streetlight Manifesto they chose to go the cover route on their 4th full length album 99 Songs of the Revolution: Volume 1. The album is the first in a planned series of albums from Streetlight related projects which will eventually cover 99 different songs. Volume 1 is a fine mix of the first 2 possibilities I listed without any song ever falling into the trash category.

They play it pretty safe on covers of the Squirrel Nut Zippers "Hell", The Dead Milkmen's "Punk Rock Girl" The Cyrkle's "Red Rubber Ball" and Paul Simon's "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" (which is very similar to the Me First and the Gimme Gimme's version) by mostly just upping the tempo. They fall into the purely enjoyable category.

For the experimental side they turn Bad Religion's "Skyscraper" into a slow skank. NOFX's "Linoleum" gets a full acoustic reggae makeover that works really well. I have no idea how Radiohead fans will react to the version of "Just" but I thoroughly enjoy it. The closing cover of Postal Service's "Such Great Heights is the best song on the album. The horn section takes on the synth line wonderfully before the rest of the band kicks in to finish it off. Since I'm not a Postal Service or Radiohead fan at all I was surprised at how much I enjoyed those 2 tracks.

If you're looking for an album of punk and ska covers you could do a lot worse than 99 Songs of the Revolution: Volume 1. While it's hardly essential, it's pretty much guaranteed to be a good time.

Rating 3/5

Track Listing:

1. "Birds Flying Away" (originally by Mason Jennings) – 3:27
2. "Hell" (originally by Squirrel Nut Zippers) – 2:56
3. "Just" (originally by Radiohead) – 3:00
4. "Skyscraper" (originally by Bad Religion) – 2:40
5. "Punk Rock Girl" (originally by The Dead Milkmen) – 2:17
6. "Linoleum" (originally by NOFX) – 2:44
7. "Me and Julio Down By the Schoolyard" (originally by Paul Simon) – 2:27
8. "They Provide the Paint for the Picture-Perfect Masterpiece That You Will Paint on the Insides of Your Eyelids" (originally by Bandits of the Acoustic Revolution) – 3:33
9. "Red Rubber Ball" (originally by The Cyrkle) – 2:49
10. "The Troubador" (originally by Louis Jordan) – 3:33
11. "Such Great Heights" (originally by The Postal Service) – 3:30

Iggy & the Stooges: Raw Power - Legacy Edition (1973)

Iggy and the Stooges 3rd album Raw Power has always been a hotly debated album. While the music on it is uniformly excellent, there have always been issues with the mixing. The original release was mixed by David Bowie and he basically made it very treble heavy with the rhythm section almost unnoticeable. When the album was being remastered in 1997 Iggy was put in charge and he basically made the loudest mix possible. Every aspect was pushed into the red, distortion was heavily prevalent and purists were pissed. That version of Raw Power is the way I first heard the album and it's been the way I've listened to it ever since. The 2010 Legacy Edition restores the original Bowie mix while pushing the bottom end up in the mix enough to make it noticeable but still not prevalent.

I personally prefer the '97 mix. If you've never heard Raw Power before I highly recommend checking it out. The songs are incredibly hard hitting, Iggy is vocally insane and his mix really pushes everything over the top. "Search and Destroy," "Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell," the title track and "Death Trip" deserve to be heard at maximum insanity and the creepiness of "Gimmie Danger" is much more affective at full blast. The Bowie mix is not bad by any means and is much closer to what the original release sounded like but a lot of the (for lack of  better words) raw power of the music is sacrificed. It's still rougher than anything else released in the early 70's but I just can't see myself coming back to the Legacy version when I could experience the insanity of the Iggy remaster.

The Legacy Edition also features a second disc of live recordings in addition to the Bowie mix. While it's nice to have this in an officially released form, there are plenty of bootlegs of live Stooges recordings from this time period out there and the material doesn't reveal anything fascinating.

The Legacy edition is great for purists and for anyone curious to hear what the original release sounded like. Newcomers and people like me who are used to the Iggy mix will want to stick with that version. There's just something to be said for the level of noise that comes with it. I can't recommend Raw Power itself enough (in either version) but if you've never heard it before the Legacy edition is probably not the way to start.

Ratings:
Album itself 5/5
Legacy mix 3.5/5

Track Listing

1. "Search and Destroy" - 3:29
2. "Gimme Danger" - 3:33
3. "Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell" - 4:54
4. "Penetration" - 3:41
5. "Raw Power" - 4:16
6. "I Need Somebody" - 4:53
7. "Shake Appeal" - 3:04
8. "Death Trip" - 6:07

Bonus Disc

1. "Introduction" (Live At Richards, Atlanta, GA: October 1973) - 0:22

2. "Head On" (Live At Richards, Atlanta, GA: October 1973) - 5:47

3. "Raw Power" (Live At Richards, Atlanta, GA: October 1973) - 9:14

4. "Gimme Danger" (Live At Richards, Atlanta, GA: October 1973) - 7:58

5. "Search and Destroy" (Live At Richards, Atlanta, GA: October 1973) - 7:25

6. "I Need Somebody" (Live At Richards, Atlanta, GA: October 1973) - 6:16

7. "Heavy Liquid (Live At Richards, Atlanta, GA: October 1973) - 7:40

8. "Cock In My Pocket" (Live At Richards, Atlanta, GA: October 1973) - 3:54

9. "Open Up and Bleed" (Live At Richards, Atlanta, GA: October 1973) - 10:23

10. "Doojiman" (Outtake From The Sessions For "Raw Power") - 4:04

11. "Head On" (Rehearsal Performance) - 5:40

Post Weekend Video: LCD Soundsystem - "Drunk Girls"

I've never gotten into LCD Soundsystem. With all the music nerd references they make it seems I would love them but my dislike of electronic music always gets in the way. That being said, I'm pretty into their new song "Drunk Girls" and especially the video. It's pure chaos and while I have no idea what it means (if anything) it's a lot of fun to watch. Their new album This is Happening releases May 18th.

Red Cliff (Parts 1 & 2): Blu-ray (2008)

John Woo has always been very skilled at filming almost operatic action sequences. His Hong Kong classics from the late 80's/early 90's, A Better Tomorrow, The Killer and Hard Boiled are all excellent, and very violent, pieces of film. His Hollywood career has been much more spotty but even in uneven films like Face/Off and Mission Impossible 2 the action scenes bordered on the spectacular. Red Cliff is his return to Chinese filmmaking and it's a pretty spectacular and epic return to form.

Based on the historical Battle of Red Cliffs, Woo's film is a 5 hour, epic piece of work (split into 2 parts) with a very strong plot, a fantastic cast and of course amazing battle sequences. To summarize the plot would require me to give away many key elements and to list a large number of character names that would likely be quickly forgotten anyway so I'll just skip it.

I will say the plot is strong and more than just framing for the action sequences. In fact just as much time is spent on character development and military strategy as is on action. There are at least 10 major characters who all get fleshed out at various times during the film and it can be a little overwhelming. I honestly couldn't tell all the characters apart and specifically who was on who's side early in the film but I eventually picked up on everything as the movie went along.

While characterization and plot are very important and are what sets Red Cliff apart from other similar films, the action scenes are going to be the biggest draw for most people and Woo does not disappoint. There's a very distinct style and poetry at the center of all the chaos. The violence is fairly graphic and spurts of blood are flying at almost all times but there's also a strong sense of control over everything. Nothing seems out of place and the action is easy to follow. While the entire movie is a visual feast, the battle scenes are where the movie really shines.

Obviously 5 hours is a long time so there is also a 2.5 hour version of the movie that was released at the same time as this version. I have not viewed that version but I can only assume that a lot of character motivations and development are probably what got axed. The "short" version has recieved good reviews so it's probably worth seeing if you don't want to sit through a 5 hour movie but I would definitely recommend this one. I watched the movie in 2 parts on 2 different days.

The blu-ray is technically spectacular. My TV does not come close to doing the cinematography justice. The whole movie is breathtaking in high-def.Colors are exceptional throughout, skin tones and facial detail are very strong. Black levels are very deep and consistent. There is really nothing to complain about picture wise. The audio as well is top notch. The films numerous action scenes are very immersive. Surround usage during these scenes is constant, low end is deep and tight and directionality is perfect. Dialogue is never lost in the mix as well. The quieter scenes could have perhaps used some more ambiance but that's a very minor issue.

While Red Cliff is a fantastic movie that feels shorter then it's 5 hour runtime although I believe the decision to watch it in 2 separate parts plays a significant role in that. John Woo has a made a film that stands up with his earlier masterpieces and Red Cliff should not be ignored. The blu-ray is a fantastic way to watch it but the the runtime will make it hard (at least for me) to give it multiple viewings.

Ratings
Movie: 4/5
Blu-ray 5/5

Weekend Video: Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings - "I Learned the Hard Way"

Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings are pretty much the greatest retro-soul band in the world. Their new album I Learned the Hard Way was released this week (and now reviewed here) and it's another fantastic bunch of old school soul songs. The title song is the lead single and video and I present it to you now. They also put on one hell of a live show as well so check them out if they're coming your way.

20 Blaxploitation Films to See Before You Die

With the fairly recent home video of the instant classic, blaxploitation spoof Black Dynamite being released and (I assume) becoming the most popular movie EVER, I thought I'd give people a quick rundown on some of the movies it's sending up. If you're not familiar with the term blaxploitation, it generally refers to movies made by major studios (starting in the early 70's) that are designed to sell to a primarily black audience and feature what they consider black culture. The most common elements associated with the genre include pimps, hookers, drug dealers, racist cops, funk and soul soundtracks, elaborate costumes, graphic violence and gratuitous nudity. The quality of these movies ranges from excellent to laughably bad. There are of course exceptions to all the elements and not every movie on this list should be considered true blaxploitation but often times they are lumped in together anyway. This list is by no means definitive and there are plenty of other deserving movies that could have been included.

Click on the jump to get a really basic rundown on 20 blaxploitation movies that are essential to understand the genre. 

Side note: This post contains much more foul language than I usually include. You are warned.

Ranking the Albums: The Replacements Version

So much has been written about The Replacements over the years it hardly seems necessary to write this entry but it had to be done. There's really no way to describe how much this band has meant to so many people (including myself) but I will do my best. I'm not old enough to have seen The Replacements live so all my experiences are through the albums and legendary story's. There may not be another band ever (certainly not in the 80's) who capture the reckless spirit of rock and roll while coupling it with feelings of hopelessness and being an outsider. They also consistently offset that with a wicked sense of humor that most other bands couldn't begin to touch. Frontman Paul Westerberg was once quoted as saying (and I'm paraphrasing) that no other band could go from loud to soft as effectively as The Replacements and that is completely true. Westerberg was perhaps the best songwriter in rock and roll during the 80's (apologies to Nick Cave, Tom Waits and Shane MacGowan) and is an underrated singer and guitarist as well. Original lead guitarist Bob Stinson layed down some of the craziest guitar solos in history before he was either forced out or quit the band (depending on who you ask). His bass playing younger brother Tommy and drummer Chris Mars were not flashy but made a very capable rhythm section. The band had a well earned reputation as being difficult drunks who sabotaged their own success on more than one occasion. While those times may not represent the best financial decisions the band could have made, no one could ever say that they weren't true to themselves.

 For me this is the best band of the 80's and perhaps my favorite of all time. Click on the jump to get a detailed rundown on each of their 8 studio albums.

Side note: I'm only going into the original albums and not taking into account the bonus tracks on the remastered versions but if you're looking to buy any Replacements CD's the remasters are easily the way to go.

Apollo 13: Blu-ray (1995)

When I first saw Apollo 13 fifteen years ago I didn't really care for it, I thought it was boring probably due to knowing how it would end. I'm not sure what I was thinking back then because Apollo 13 is a very solid movie with a great cast, fine acting, solid direction and a moving story. While I still don't think it's a classic it is an excellent piece of film.

The story of Apollo 13 is well known and I'm sure most people are familiar with it on at least a basic level. The cast (Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Bil Paxton, Gary Sinese, Ed Harris and Kathleen Quinlan with Harris and Quinlan in Oscar nominated performances) is in fine form throughout and they are the main draw to the film. Director Ron Howard does an admirable job of maintaining tension throughout even though the happy ending is never in doubt. This is a movie about the journey, not the ending and that journey is at times moving and always dramatic. While I'm sure there are many liberties taken with the actual events, the movie always feels real and that's the best way to judge a film that's based on a true story.

The blu-ray is an excellent example of a catalog title done right. For a 15-year-old film the video quality is excellent. It's not the most colorful movie ever made but black levels are obviously important and they are very strong. Detail is mostly top-notch with a few instances of softness that momentarily pop up but that's very rare with the scenes in space being especially high in quality. The audio is also fantastic. The movie is mostly dialogue and that comes through very clearly. With numerous scenes set in space surround use is minimal but when the movie calls for it (mostly in take off and landing sequences) they come alive along with some of the most prodigious low end I've ever heard in a catalog title. My house was literally shaking at times.

While I don't consider Apollo 13 to be a true classic, it is an excellent movie nonetheless. The blu-ray is great as well. The younger version of me was an idiot for not liking it.

Ratings
Movie: 4/5
Blu-ray: 4.5/5

Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans: Blu-ray (2009)

Is there an actor who makes more frustrating choices in movie roles than Nicolas Cage? The list of action/sci-fi movies (that range from utterly horrible to guilty pleasures at best) he's starred in since 2000 includes Knowing, Next, Bangkok Dangerous, Ghost Rider, The Wicker Man, National Treasure 1&2, Windtalkers, and Gone in 60 Seconds. No one is gonna blame the guy for wanting a big paycheck but a little discretion couldn't hurt. On the other hand there are the fantastic movies he's done that show off his formidable acting talent.  Adaptation, Matchstick Men, Lord of War and The Weather Man are all excellent films that admittedly have very little commercial value. Add to that list Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans. Teaming up with acclaimed director Werner Herzog (Rescue Dawn, Grizzly Man, Aguirre: Wrath of God) in a very loose (the name and dealing with a corrupt cop being the only relation) "remake" of Abel Ferrara's 1992's Bad Lieutenant, Cage gives one of the best performances of his career.

The movie deals with Lieutenant Terrence McDonagh (Cage) who injures his back early in the film, becomes addicted to painkillers and embarks down a dangerous path of corruption and drug addiction. He is put in charge of a brutal murder investigation while attempting to balance his addictions, all the while attempting to maintain respect from his commanding officer, fellow policemen (including Val Kilmer) and his prostitute girlfriend (Eva Mendes). The basic plot is very episodic in nature and pretty generic.

What's not generic is Cage's performance and the direction of Herzog. Cage is allowed what seems like unlimited free reign to overact to the highest degree. His facial expressions, ever changing voice, hunchback mannerisms and general demeanor would be out of place in 99 percent of all movies but here it works to perfection. All the supporting performances are excellent as well but this is completely Cage's show from start to finish. I can't think of any other actor who would be more effective or engrossing in this role.

Herzog himself makes some very unusual choices in shots and in music. There are numerous times when Iguanas and other reptiles scroll across the screen and it's completely left up to the viewer to determine if they are actuly there or if they are just McDonagh's drug induced hallucinations. At point Herzog has the camera drift completely away from the action and be shown from the point of view of a crocodile. It doesn't add anything to the story line but it definitely has an affect on the feel of the movie. While these choices could easily derail the film thay actually enhance the feeling of insanity that is prevalent throughout.

BLPCNO is not a movie that is going to be overly satisfying as a high-def transfer. Colors bleed intentionally and the movie is shot in a dreamlike haze that gives it a soft appearance. The blu-ray does accurately represent what I remember seeing in theaters so any flaws are directly related to Herzog's directorial decisions. Audio wise it's a dialogue driven film and there are not many big action scenes. The audio track sounds fine but isn't going to give your system a workout.

I fully acknowledge that this will not be a film for everyone. It's very weird, doesn't have much in the way of plot and the pacing can drag from time to time. The best comparison I can make is to American Psycho. Much like that movie this must be viewed as a black comedy. If you go into this looking for a cop movie you will come away completely bewildered and unsatisfied. BLPCNO is one of the best movies of last year, Cage's performance is mesmerizing and Herzog's direction holds it all together even when the movie is bursting at the seems with insanity. I can't promise that you will understand everything that is happening (I certainly didn't) but I can promise you won't forget it.

Ratings
Movie 4.5/5
Blu-ray 3.5/5

Ninja Assassin: Blu-ray (2009)

After months and months of wait I finally got to see Ninja Assassin! N.A.R.D. (Ninja Assassin Release Day) was being hyped in certain circles as more important than Thanksgiving but I was unable to make it to the theater to see this masterpiece. Then when it was finally released on video N.A.R.D. 2 was ruined for me by Warner Brothers and Netflix new 28 day delay on rentals. I almost cancelled solely because I wanted to see this so bad but couldn't justify paying for it outside the money I already give to Netflix. So it was with great excitement that I popped Ninja Assassin into my PS3 this afternoon and proceeded to be amazed by how truly awful the movie is. I couldn't have hoped for anything more.

The title pretty much tells the whole story, Ninja Assassin deals with a Ninja who is also, wait for it, an Assassin! Throw in some useless side characters, a backstory that is way too long and drawn out, something resembling a love angle and blood, lots and lots and lots and lots of really fake looking CGI blood. That's the movie and why would anyone want anything more?

Ninja Assassin is not a movie for everyone and I knew going in that I probably wasn't going to like it but in all honesty I did get a kick out of the ridiculousness of it all. The action scenes are so far over the top they would be comical if the movie didn't take itself so damn seriously. For a movie with a violent level as heightened as this has you would think it would be done somewhat tongue-in-cheek but that is definitely not the case. There's way too much time spent on Ninja's (that's how I will refer to the main character since I don't remember his name) backstory and it really doesn't add anything to the the plot or character. There's no intentional humor found at any point and the action scenes are edited in that choppy, quick-cut style so it's really hard to tell what's goin' on and it gets annoying.

Ninja Assassin is not a total loss. There are plenty of severed limbs and decapitations scattered throughout the movie and while none of it looks remotely realistic it is entertaining on a very basic and bloodlusty level. If your whole reason for watching is to see a bunch of dudes die ultra-violent deaths you'll probably get a good level of enjoyment out of it.

The blu-ray transfer is top notch. Video quality is excellent with deep blacks, insanely bright reds and a good level of detail. There is nothing to complain about visually. The audio, much like the movie, is nowhere near realistic but still very powerful. ninja stars sound like gunfire when they hit and they come from all angles. There is tons of low end and surround use is constant with directionality being spot on. Dialouge is a mixed a little soft, especially early in the film, but what people are saying is not all that important anyway.

Ninja Assassin is pretty much the greatest movie ever made or maybe it's the worst, I'm not entirely sure. Either way some people will love the insanity of it all and others will absolutely hate it. I lean toward the latter but I'm not gonna try to argue with someone over it for fear of them chopping off my head with a ninja star from out of nowhere. I wouldn't want to piss off any wanna-be ninjas out there because if this movie is any indication they do not have a sense of humor.

Ratings:
Movie: 2/5
Blu-ray: 4.5/5

The Slammin Salmon: Blu-ray (2009)

The Slammin' Salmon is the latest movie from comedy troupe Broken Lizard of Super Troopers fame. While it's nowhere near as funny as Super Troopers it is on par (although probably a bit below) with their other 2 follow ups Club Dread and Beerfest. While not a comedy classic by any means, The Slammin' Salmon is a good enough time waster with enough one-liners and gross out gags to make most Broken Lizard fans happy.

The plot involves a restaurant owner/former heavyweight boxing camp (Michael Clarke Duncan) initiating a contest amongst the wait staff to see can earn the most money to help save the restaurant from his outstanding debts to the Yakuza. The winner gets $10,000 and the loser gets his or her ass kicked by the champ. Needless to say, many hijinks ensue. There's also a lot of recognizable people who pop up in the cast at various times. Aside from the members of Broken Lizard and Duncan there is Colby Smulders (How I Met Your Mother), Will Forte (SNL), Jim Gaffigan, Vivica A. Fox, Morgan Fairchild, Olivia Munn and Mohinder from Heroes.

If you're looking for an original plot or for well developed characters this is not a movie you want to watch. If you want to see some dumb comedy done competently and with energy you could do worse than The Slammin' Salmon. There are tons of gags throughout the movie and while it is very hit or miss throughout, it does succeed on it's own terms. There were numerous times I laughed out loud at a sight gag or more commonly a random line. Truthfully a lot of the jokes and situations are pretty played out and not overly original but they are executed well enough. It feels like Broken Lizard the writing team let down Broken Lizard the performers and with some more time spent on writing the script the movie could have been
much better.

The best part of The Slammin' Salmon is easily Michael Clarke Duncan. He shows off great comedic timing whether it's his ridiculous mispronunciations of words, his ability to fly off the handle with rage at a moments notice or just his overall presence, Duncan is comedy gold. The rest of the cast isn't given as much to do but each member of Broken Lizard has at least one or two great moments interspersed throughout. The movie also moves along at a brisk pace and with so many jokes if the last one didn't do anything for ya the next one might.

The blu-ray is much like the movie, perfectly acceptable but nothing spectacular. The video looks fine but a low budget comedy like this obviously isn't a movie that's going to be a "WOW" transfer. Likewise the audio is fine as well. Dialogue is the most important aspect and it's always understandable. There's nothing to open up the soundscape at all so the track is very front heave but the movie sounds fine.

No one is going to be mistaking The Slammin' Salmon for a comedic masterpiece any time soon but it's a serviceable comedy that you don't really have to pay attention to. Put it on amongst a group of people (preferably drunk people) and I'm sure it will get some laughs. I will also point out that every Broken Lizard movie so far (with the exception of Puddle Cruiser) has grown on me with multiple viewings so it's very possible this one will as well but for now I can't say it's anything more than an OK excuse to not go outside if it's raining.

Ratings:
Movie 3/5
Blu-ray 3/5

Ranking the Albums: Bob Dylan Version

If I could only listen to one artists discography for the rest of my life that artist would be Bob Dylan. I wouldn't say he's my favorite artist of all time but he's in the top 5. Obviously picking Dylan isn't entirely fair since he's put out about a million albums worth of material but you'd be hard pressed to find an artist with a more eclectic range of material of such varying quality. The highs he has reached throughout his career are only equaled by the horrendous lows he has suffered as well. I also consider him to be one of the greatest vocalists of all time. I'm not talking about the traditional, pretty voice that can hit notes kind of singing. I'm talking about delivering raw emotion and conveying feeling through vocals. Combine that with his knack for inventive phrasing and there aren't a lot of artists who can match what Dylan brings vocally, even if he has never possessed a "pretty" voice. Hopefully this article will help those uninitiated with his work find a place to start as well as give my personal overview of what I consider his best work. I will add that I am personally a much bigger fan of his electric full band work than I am of his early folk days and the list represents that. I also left out live albums and compilations and only focused on his studio work (with one exception).

Click the jump to get a quick rundown on 21 Dylan albums worth checking out.

Lord of the Rings Trilogy: Blu-ray

Lord of the Rings on blu-ray! These are words fans have been waiting for pretty much since blu-ray hit the market. The trilogy seems tailor made for high-def viewing on large screens at home. I'm not going to get into the movies themselves too much due their extreme popularity but I will say that while I think they are amazing movies, I don't worship them either. The focus here will be on the blu-ray's and whether or not you should upgrade from the DVD's.

The first thing to note is that these are the theatrical versions of the films and not the extended versions. At some point the extended editions will be released on blu (probably when The Hobbit hits theaters in 2011) so if you pick this set up you will eventually have a choice of whether or not to "double dip."

There's more bad news as well and it comes in the form of the picture quality on Fellowship of the Ring. The easiest way to describe it is SOFT. There's a severe lack of detail present throughout the movie. Faces look scrubbed and waxy, and the costumes don't reveal any intricities that the best high def transfers do. Black levels are not very deep either and appear more as dark gray's throughout. The transfer is not a total loss however as colorization is fine and some of the wide shots look exceptional. It's been reported that a lot of the problems are the fault of the way the picture was shot and post processed, not necessarily with the transfer itself but the bottom line is that, for a high profile release such as this, the picture quality on Fellowship just isn't great.

Things get better in the other two movies. Both The Two Towers and especially Return of the King while not being 5 star video transfers are still excellent. Blacks are much deeper and the costume detail lacking in Fellowship is generally exceptional. Close ups of faces still can look like shots out of a wax museum from time to time but are also much improved over Fellowship.

There is absolutely nothing to complain about in regards to the audio. The DTS-HD 6.1 mix is completely amazing for all three films. Low end shook my floors when it was called upon (which is quite often). Surround use is constant, not just in action scenes but also in supplying ambiance in quieter moments. Directionality is perfect and nothing seemed out of place. Dialogue is never overshadowed either with every word, whether yelled or whispered, being completely understandable. This is a reference grade track that really puts the viewer into the middle of the action.

I don't usually go into a releases extra features but it is worth noting that there's not much in the way of new stuff here. Apart from some new trailers for various things, almost everything is copied over from the original DVD releases What's worse is that apart from those new trailers it's all presented in standard definition..

All in all the blu-ray's do offer a considerable upgrade in picture quality from the DVDs, even though Fellowship is very flawed. Also the audio tracks for all three are simply stunning. A total lack of new extras is also very disappointing. Personally I will not be picking this up (I rented these from Netflix) due to the flaws I mentioned as well as not wanting to double dip but I'm sure a lot of people will not be able to wait.

Ratings:
Movies 4.5/5
Blu-ray picture: 3.5/5
Blu-ray audio: 5/5

Where the Wild Things Are: Blu-ray (2009)

Adapting Where the Wild Things Are into a full length movie was certain to be a daunting task. Not only is it one of the most beloved children's books of the last half century, but the book is also 38 pages long with a little over 300 words. It was going to take someone with significant imagination to not only make the movie good but just to make it at all. Luckily director/co-writer Spike Jonze was completely up to the task.

For anyone that doesn't know, the basic plot it centers on a young boy named Max (Max Records) who becomes angry with his mother (Catherine Keener) and her new boyfriend (Mark Ruffalo) and runs away to a distant island full of "wild things."  While there Max bonds with the wild things (voiced by James Gandolfini, Forrest Whitaker, Chris Cooper, Lauren Ambrose, Paul Dano and Catherine O'Hara) and convinces them he is their king. The movie greatly expands on Max's back-story and fleshes out all the wild things into full characters who speak and have personalities of their own, with each one representing a different aspect of Max's personalty.


The first thing to realize is that Jonze did not make Where the Wild Things Are to be a children's movie but rather to be a "movie about children." There are some very adult themes running throughout the movie and it's possible that small children could be scared by some of the imagery. I doubt it will be too much of an issue and most children should really enjoy the film but there's more going on underneath the surface than in a standard kiddie flick.

I can't say enough good things about the technical aspects of the film, they are amazing. The world Jonze creates is simply stunning and totally engrossing. There are beautiful set pieces everywhere and the imaginary world the film takes place in is completely original and totally believable. The wild things themselves were brought to life with a mix of live action puppeteering and CGI. They are very expressive and lifelike. The entire movie is really Jonze showing off his film-making ability and showing it off in style.

Of course all the technical skill in the world doesn't mean much if the story and the cast don't hold up. The cast in particular is excellent throughout. I usually am not a fan of child actors but Max Records gives an excellent performance. He shows off a very wide range of emotion, from rage to fear and sadness. He holds the movie together very well in challenging role for an actor of any age. Gandolfini plays Carol, the most impulsive of the wild tings and the one most easily comparable to Max. While I often could only hear Tony Soprano coming out of Carol he shows a lot of depth in his voice and much like Max displays rage and sorrow in equal measure. The rest of the cast is excellent as well although most are not given as much to do.

There's not much that doesn't work for me in the film but Jonze's decision to make it a fairly deliberately paced movie is the main thing that keeps it from being great. There  action is intentionally scrapped in favor of contemplative looks at childhood and anger. While these are themes are definitely a positive for the film overall it does slow the pace down significantly in more than a few spots. I suspect adults and kids alike could get bored at times. This is still a pretty minor issue as more often than not the film is brimming with excitement.

The blu-ray is technically amazing as well. While the movie focuses more on browns and grays than a lot of color it's all represented very well. The image isn't one that's really going to "pop" but it matches the tone of the movie extremely well. Detail is outstanding as you can pick out individual hairs on the wild things costumes  and some of the wider shots of the wild things world are truly breathtaking. The audio track is fantastic. While Where the Wild Things Are is not a non stop action movie when the movie calls for it the sound can be overwhelming. Low end is abundant and surrounds are used very well, not only in action scenes but for ambiance throughout the film. Dialogue as well is very well represented and I didn't have any problems understanding anything being said.

Where the Wild Things Are probably isn't the easiest movie for children to digest but they should be entertained throughout almost the entire movie. Adults will find plenty to love in it as well. It's full of imagination, energy and excitement while still maintaining a deeper meaning underneath the surface. It's a visual marvel and the few reservation I have should not dissuade anyone from seeing the movie.

Ratings:
Movie 4/5
Blu-ray 5/5

Brothers: Blu-ray (2009)

When is a seemingly great movie not actually all that great? Watch Brothers and find out. Brothers has all the things in place to be a great film: an acclaimed director (Jim Sheridan - My Left Foot, In the Name of the Father) a capable cast who give outstanding performances (Tobey Maguire, Jake Gyllenhall, Natalie Portman) and an emotional script but is weighed down with some very melodramatic sequences straight out of a soap opera and some odd directorial choices.

Sam Cahill (Maguire) is an honorable family man and a marine about to embark on his 4th tour of duty in Afghanistan. His younger brother Tommy (Gyllenhall) is a ex-convict with a drinking problem. They have a loving but adversarial relationship with Tommy feeling like he can never live up to the expectations Sam has set for him.  When Sam's helicopter is shot down and he is presumed dead, Tommy takes it upon himself to step in and be there for Sam's wife Grace (Portman) and 2 daughters. Tommy and Grace eventually overcome their differences and start to develop feelings for each other. The tricky part is that Sam isn't actually dead, he's been captured and forced to endure extreme physical and mental torture. The movies main conflict arrives when Sam is rescued and returned home.

While there are a lot of great things about the movie the finest aspect of Brothers is easily the performances of the three leads. Maguire shows a darkness I never would have thought he was capable of. The depths of emotion he reaches in the second half of the film is pretty amazing for an actor who's previous dark side consisted of parting his hair different and going "emo" in Spiderman 3.  Gyllenhall's performance is more subtle but still very affective. He elicits a considerable amount of sympathy for a character that starts out anything but sympathetic. Portman isn't given as much to do but she makes the most with what is there.

The script also has a very strong emotional core at the heart of it. Brotherly competition and family issues are universal and the effects of a captured soldier with young children is something that will be sure to draw emotion from pretty much everyone.

For all the good things the movie has to offer there are a bunch of things that keep it from being a must see movie.There are a number of moments when I cringed with the dialogue being spoken. Also I swear there are scenes lifted straight out of soap opera 101 with melodrama being a complete understatement. Some of the choices in music are questionable at best. A scene involving Grace and Tommy bonding over ice skating has a terrible, synthetic and totally distracting song playing over it. It completely took me out of the movie. Supporting characters offer suffer from questionable actions as well. The lowlight involves one of Tommy's friends becoming ridiculously upset that his choice to wear brand new pants while painting a kitchen backfires when they end up covered in paint. I'm sure it was supposed to be a humorous moment in a film without many but it just came off as pathetic and nonsensical.

The Blu-ray is technically great regardless of my reservations with the film. The movie isn't shot in a flashy style and the color palette is pretty reserved. Even without striking colors it's well worth seeing in HD. Individual detail is excellent, you can see the stitching in clothing as well as individual strands of hair throughout and the outdoor scenes while drab are very well represented. It's not the prettiest movie ever made but the video transfer seems very faithful to the directors intent. The audio as well is not going to bow you away but it fits with the tone and style of the film. Dialogue is very well represented and the few action oriented scenes really open up the soundscape, with low end and surrounds coming alive in those instances.

There are a lot of reasons to go see Brothers. The emotional core of the story along with the tremendous performances being the prime examples but there are enough things wrong with it that keep it from being a must see. If nothing else Tobey Maguire has earned a lot more respect for his acting abilities from me.

Ratings:
Movie 3.5/5
Blu-ray 4/5

Weekend Video: The Black Keys - "Tighten Up"

The Black Keys have released the first video form the upcoming album Brothers which will be available May 18th. The song is "Tighten Up," it's the only song Danger Mouse, who produced their last album 2008's Attack and Release, and the song continues with the sound found on that album. It's got a cool interplay between guitar and organ, the first use of whistling in a Black Keys song (that I can recall) and some pretty sweet staccato drumming. The video is nothing more than a puppet dinosaur singing along and dancing with some entertaining text scrolling across the screen. I love pretty much everything the Black Keys have ever done and this is no different. I'm pretty pumped for Brothers to be released.

Rating: 5/5