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The last two weeks have featured the Best Picture of the Year and a pair of  the big documentary releases of the last few years. Let’s take a peek here…

Big Releases from the last two weeks

2/18 releases

Anna Karenina - Rated R (Keira Knightley, Jude Law

Argo - Rated R (Ben Affleck, John Goodman, Alan Arkin)

Fun Size – Rated PG-13 (Victoria Justice, Chelsea Handler)

Sinister - Rated R (Ethan Hawke)

Undefeated – Rated PG-13

2/25 releases

Chasing Mavericks – Rated PG (Gerard Butler, Elisabeth Shue)

The Master – Rated R (Joaquin Phoenix, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams)

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 – Rated PG-13 (Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner)

The biggest release of the last couple weeks is Argo. I named it the Best Picture of 2012 and of course, now the Academy agrees. Congrats to Ben and the whole team on that one. Check it out now on Blu-ray//DVD. Sinister surprised for a horror film and could be worth a peek for some. The Master is a master class in acting throughout, even if the film itself falls a little short. And of course, I know many that can’t wait to pick up the final Twilight film.

Also New This Week

2/18

Atlas Shrugged: Part II – PG-13 (Samantha Mathis, Esai Morales)

The Factory – R (John Cusack, Jennifer Carpenter)

Game of Thrones: The Complete Second Season

The Great Fight – R (Robert Loggia, Charles Durning)

Lake Placid: The Final Chapter – R/Unrated (Daniel Black, Yancy Butler)

The Mooring – R (Halie Todd, Thomas Wilson Brown)

Small Apartments – R (Juno Temple, Rebel Wilson)

Special Forces – R (Diane Kruger, Djimon Hounsou)

Sushi Girl – R (Danny Trejo, Mark Hamill)

2/25

Barbie in the Pink Shoes

Border Run – R (Sharon Stone, Billy Zane)

Chicken with Plums – PG-13 (Mathieu Amalric, Edouard Baer)

Company of Heroes – R (Chad Michael Collins, Vinnie Jones)

Escape Fire: The Fight to Rescue American Healthcare – PG-13

Freaky Deaky – R (Billy Burke, Christian Slater)

Girls Against Boys – R (Nicole LaLiberte, Danielle Panabaker)

Hardflip – PG-13 (John Schneider, Randy White, Rosanna Arquette)

Holy Motors – (Denis Lavant, Eva Mendes)

How to Survive a Plague

Law and Order: The Twelfth Year

Phineas and Ferb: Perry Files Animal Agents

Total Retribution – R (Robin Kurtz, Lucy Rayner)

That will teach me for missing a week. A HUGE amount of titles…wading through them…How to Survive a Plague is a documentary that my be worth your time. My daughter really wants to review the new Barbie (So you just may see that online in the near future).

And the curious title for me…is The Package.. How about a peek at the trailer below? Let’s take a look at that trailer below… The Package – R (Steve Austin, Dolph Lundgren)

Final Score

Argo is the must add to the collection even though my daughter is hard down to get to Barbie in the Pink Shoes..she’ll appreciate my choice soon.

Pop Popcorn, Do the DietDew, and Bust out the Blu and remember to Save Me A Seat!

Oscars 2013 - The Best of 2012 Honored

So to write a recap here…I thought about writing an article and following a format…and then I thought, NO. I’m the Common Guy; it’s time for stream of consciousness random bullet points. So here you go, take them for what they are worth!

Let’s start at the beginning….

Seth MacFarlane

There are MANY that are blasting Seth today, but I’m not one of them. MacFarlane’s current stuff was funny and edgy, but much less harsh than Ricky Gervais’ Golden Globe hosting turns. Sure some say, it’s just the Globes…these are the OSCAR’S. Well Seth’s performance will get a lot more of the youth than the James Franco and Anne Hathaway turn of a couple of years past. That said it started a lot stronger than it finished. Some of Seth’s jokes did cross the imaginary line in the sand. And the final song about the losers…sorry that was terrible. Overall – If I were to grade him, it’s not a bad first effort…B-

Argo

I loved seeing Argo win! It was my top film of the year and the Academy seldom sees eye to eye with me. I’ve seen many argue that Argo didn’t deserve the award and to those haters, wow, I just don’t get it. And sorry...but I loved Ben Affleck (as an aside the Critics' Choice Movie Awards win for Ben and Argo was one of the only groups that voted BEFORE the Oscar Snub).

Daniel Day-Lewis

Amazing…the guy has comic timing too. If you’re acting in a year that he is…don’t do your best performance ever because it just won’t be good enough.

Jennifer Lawrence

The fall…oh the fall…sure she almost took a header up the stairs, but she still looked good doing it. I think she was real when she got there, and that’s the big thing. Plus she DID deliver a really good performance.

Life of Pi

Ang Lee takes home the gold in the directing category and I felt that was the surprise most likely to happen. After the earlier awards for the film, you could see the love and it became more evident that the voters love the film.

What’s With The Cameras?

Many times when the winner was up or even the presenters came on stage you could hear a very evident sound in the background. It was the shutters of cameras. Really? We expect more from the Oscar telecast…and for those who are going to get down Seth’s throat…this was just one of the show annoyances that seemed to take place.

It’s A Tie

Ok…that was cool. Sure it wasn’t in a major category, but that is cool to see and from what others are saying it’s the 6^th one in Oscar history.

The Song Awards Category

They give the awards, and say we heard from all of the two earlier than we get two clip packaged songs, and a final performance…really? And this same show is celebrating music in the movies?

Music Numbers

Ok, speaking of music there are two totally different thoughts I have on the numbers throughout.

• 1.    Look they were all a different form of fantastic on the surface. Shirley Bassey with Goldfinger and Catherine Zeta Jones, Jennifer Hudson and the cast of Les Miserables really nailed their songs.
• 2.     WHY WAS THERE SO MUCH EMPHASIS ON THEM? That’s the bigger question I have. In fact someone tweeted that at one point I believe it was 36 minutes of telecast with 2 awards. Do the Grammy’s do extended movie clips of some of the best music in movies of the year? It’s movies people, and while they were spectacularly done…if we kept to movies, we might not have to run REALLY long.
• 3.     Adele knocked her number out of the park, and I exclude that from my criticism of the music numbers because it WAS a nominee on this night.

The First Lady

No matter your political view, you should be appalled by that “twist” at the end. This is not a late night talk show, it’s the Oscars. If you want to have her walk out with Jack, that’s one thing, but that last award is always presented by a monster movie star (at least in my lifetime), someone iconic with the industry. Michelle Obama is not that type of person. And I’d feel the same way if it were Hilary Clinton, Laura Bush, or even Barack Obama himself, this is not the place to insert someone like that. If they wanted her to be a part of the humanitarian award of the night…I could see it. But instead this was just clunky and out of place. The scene behind her looked terribly staged and hey it was Midnight out there on the east coast.

And Finally…the In Memoriam Segment

First let me say…this is not about POLITICS. But I’m sure I’m going to anger a number of my liberal friends by saying this but the Barbara Streisand performance was overkill to the extreme. Let me get this out of the way first, like with the musical segments…Streisand sang beautifully. HOWEVER, this was a segment about those who passed, NOT BARBARA STEISAND. The segment has always been one to build applause throughout to the most iconic individuals we lost this year. Instead we end with Marvin Hamlisch (love him) but the focus is all Steisand NOT those who had passed. There were no Hollywood individuals in the background that passed there was just Barbara and all about her. The Academy has done the someone singing live in the background before, but usually there was an occasional inset of the singer, or a split screen that occasionally went back to the singer. This was just OVER THE TOP and out of place to no end.

Overall 

The show wasn’t awful…I liked Seth for the most part, but felt the clunky organization of the night and the removal of focus on the Best Picture nominees was a real letdown. I could go on for ages, and reserve the right to do so, but I need to run off to a screening of a 2013 title now...so I bid you all good day. 

Academy Awards 2013 - Final Predictions

Here’s a quick look at this year’s awards…

It’s a rare year when I can look at the nominees and get this excited about not knowing what’s going to happen. This is the year where anything goes outside of a couple of categories, and yes, that makes it fun.

Best Picture

Amour

Argo

Beasts of the Southern Wild

Django Unchained

Les Miserables

Life of Pi

Lincoln

Silver Linings Playbook

Zero Dark Thirty

SHOULD WIN: Argo

WILL WIN: Argo

I’m biased..I know. I named Argo my top film of 2012 (though I was torn between 4 films when I made the decision). I watched it a second time before I cast my voite for the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards and was confident that I made the right decision. There are a number of the nominees that would disappoint me if they won. But I think this is pretty much a no brainer. Argo for the win.

Actor in a Leading Role

Bradley Cooper, Silver Linings Playbook

Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln

Hugh Jackman, Les Miserables

Joaquin Phoenix, The Master

Denzel Washington, Flight

SHOULD WIN: Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln

WILL WIN: Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln

It’s amazing when an award is this locked up despite some of the best performances of the year all in one category. Once this year I said that it just isn’t fair to Bradley Cooper, Denzel Washington, Hugh Jackman and Joaquin Phoenix. Their great performances are just not enough this year, but make no mistake about it…they are still ALL AMAZING.

Actress in a Leading Role

Jessica Chastain, Zero Dark Thirty

Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook

Emmanuelle Riva, Amour

Quvenzhane Wallis, Beasts of the Southern Wild

Naomi Watts, The Impossible

SHOULD WIN: Jessica Chastain, Zero Dark Thirty

WILL WIN: Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook

This one is a mystery to everyone and anyone who tells you they know who will win…is full of it. The oldest and youngest candidates ever in this category could surprise if folks are looking for a sleeper. Emmanuelle Riva’s performance from Amour is the one that I would look to as the possible sleeper. Quvenzhane Wallis’ turn in Beasts is really solid, but the Academy doesn’t usually go there for this category. Naomi Watts is wonderful in a film that few people saw and really didn’t steal the show. That leaves me with two … Jessica Chastain and Jennifer Lawrence. Both are young women with solid roles the last few years. Chastain’s turns in The Help and Take Shelter among other films really stood apart in 2011 and if you could award a body of work that year she’d be at the top of the list. The problem with her performance here is the classic backlash against the type of film that ZDT is, a gritty hard politically charged and controversial film. On the other side of the coin, Jennifer Lawrence has  been nominated for the second time (her first was for her stunning turn in Winter’s bone) and this time could be the charm. I think it’s a film that the members will want to honor, and this is where they will.

Actor in a Supporting Role

Alan Arkin, Argo

Robert De Niro, Silver Linings Playbook

Philip Seymour Hoffman, The Master

Tommy Lee Jones, Lincoln

Christoph Waltz, Django Unchained

SHOULD WIN: Tommy Lee Jones, Lincoln or Robert De Niro, Silver Linings Playbook`

WILL WIN: Robert De Niro, Silver Linings Playbook

Robert De Niro hasn’t won an Oscar since Raging Bull? Really? Wow! Winners abound in this category and I could see it going any way imaginable. Will it be the chance for voters to give Argo another award in the form of Alan Arkin? What about the stunning turn from Philip Seymour Hoffman as the leader of a crazy group of followers in The Master. Tommy Lee Jones didn’t get a lot of traction with critics groups but some of that might be due to his surliness in interviews and at awards shows. And the Academy just recently showed their love for Christoph Waltz, too soon for another time? That’s why I think the award goes to De Niro for his performance.

Actress in a Supporting Role

Amy Adams, The Master

Sally Field, Lincoln

Anne Hathaway, Les Miserables

Helen Hunt, The Sessions

Jacki Weaver, Silver Linings Playbook5

SHOULD WIN: Anne Hathaway, Les Miserables

WILL WIN: Anne Hathaway, Les Miserables

A short but truly spectacular time in the film, Hathaway looks to be the winner in this category. If I could pick an upset…maybe Helen Hunt’s courageous risk from The Sessions or Amy Adams in The Master. In fact Adams, I felt, stole most of the scenes she had in the film.

Animated Feature Film

Brave

Frankenweenie

ParaNorman

The Pirates! Band of Misfits

Wreck-It Ralph

SHOULD WIN: Wreck-It Ralph

WILL WIN: Wreck It-Ralph or ParaNorman

I loved Wreck-It Ralph…but where will the Academy go? Not sure.

-------------------------------------------------------------

And here’s all the rest…And the Winner Is….

Cinematography

Anna Karenina

Django Unchained

Life of Pi

Lincoln

Skyfall

SHOULD WIN: Skyfall

WILL WIN: Lincoln

Costume Design

Anna Karenina

Les Miserables

Lincoln

Mirror Mirror

Snow White and the Huntsman

SHOULD WIN: Les Miserables

WILL WIN: Lincoln

Directing

Amour

Beasts of the Southern Wild

Life of Pi

Lincoln

Silver Linings Playbook

SHOULD WIN: Ben Affleck, Argo (BUT HE’S NOT NOMINATED!)  - Steven Spielberg, Lincoln

WILL WIN: Steven Spielberg, Lincoln (Ang Lee for Life of Pi is my surprise)

Documentary Feature

5 Broken Cameras

The Gatekeepers

How to Survive a Plague

The Invisible War

Searching for Sugar Man

SHOULD WIN: Searching for Sugar Man

WILL WIN: Searching for Sugar Man

Film Editing

Argo

Life of Pi

Lincoln

Silver Linings Playbook

Zero Dark Thirty

SHOULD WIN: Zero Dark Thirty

WILL WIN: Argo

Foreign Language Film

Amour

Kon-Tiki

No

A Royal Affair

War Witch

SHOULD WIN: Amour

WILL WIN: Amour

Makeup and Hairstyling

Hitchcock

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Les Miserables

 

SHOULD WIN: Hitchcock

WILL WIN: Hitchcock

Music – Score

Anna Karenina

Argo

Life of Pi

Lincoln

Skyfall

SHOULD WIN: Lincoln

WILL WIN: Lincoln

Music – Original Song

Before My Time, Chasing Ice

Everybody Needs a Best Friend, Ted

Pi’s Lullaby, Life of Pi

Skyfall, Skyfall

Suddenly, Les Miserables

SHOULD WIN: Skyfall, Skyfall

WILL WIN: Suddenly, Les Miserables

Production Design

Anna Karenina

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Les Miserables

Life of Pi

Lincoln

SHOULD WIN: Lincoln

WILL WIN: Lincoln

Sound Editing

Argo

Django Unchained

Life of Pi

Skyfall

Zero Dark Thirty

SHOULD WIN: Zero Dark Thirty

WILL WIN: Zero Dark Thirty or Skyfall

Sound Mixing

Argo

Les Miserables

Life of Pi

Lincoln

Skyfall

SHOULD WIN: Skyfall

WILL WIN: Skyfall

Visual Effects

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Life of Pi

Marvel’s The Avengers

Prometheus

Snow White and the Huntsman

SHOULD WIN: Life of Pi

WILL WIN: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

Argo

Beasts of the Southern Wild

Life of Pi

Lincoln

Silver Linings Playbook

 

SHOULD WIN: Argo

WILL WIN: Argo

Writing (Original Screnplay)

Amour

Django Unchained

Flight

Moonrise Kingdom

Zero Dark Thirty

SHOULD WIN: Zero Dark Thirty

WILL WIN: Zero Dark Thirty

 How right am I??? Well that's what we all want to know, but I'm on record now for ridicule or praise...let's sit back and enjoy Family Guy...err I mean the Oscars

Real Milwaukee - 2/22/13

I went over the hills...through the snow...and found myself at FOX 6 this morning for Real Milwaukee...but I COULDN'T stop myself from raging about A Good Day To Die Hard. Yes, I'm obsessed...video below or through the linky. Plus the first look at who I think WILL win the Awards this weekend.

Real Milwaukee (Paul Hall) - February 22, 2013

What To Do With Die Hard?

I wanted to take a minute today to look at what should happen with Die Hard.

As an action movie junkie, Die Hard was that gold standard that I held for many years. It doesn't matter how realistic some of the aspects of Die Hard became; it still was a movie that you could go and relate with in some way.

Unlike many critics who relished in taking down the series, actions films and Bruce Willis - it pained me to write the negative review I published on this film.

I wanted to like the film. I thought no matter what they did, I would like the film. Instead it was easily the worst film the franchise put out. But while other critics called for this to be the death of Die Hard, I say NO!

This series cannot end with this film. This is not the way I want to have my action hero, John McClane go out.

So what can be done?

I've thought long and hard and come to a couple conclusions about a 6th Die Hard film, and what would work.

1. Get the series back to a place that we can relate to.

- Die Hard -- an office building in Los Angeles. (in fact as McClane comes from the plane, there is the classic jab at California in the airport).
- Die Hard 2 - Dulles Airport during the holidays. (we've all been on planes, we've all been in crowded airports or at least seen these scenes on multiple occasions).
- Die Hard With A Vengeance - In and around New York City (probably one of the most recognizable locales in almost any film).
- Live Free or Die Hard  - In and around the Washington DC area and the NE United States (Many obvious shots to viewers of films.)

John McClane is a decidedly American action hero. Taking him out of the country, to a locale that we are not readily familiar with was a real mistake. (unless of course you just watched Chernobyl Diaries) Bring him home, get him somewhere claustrophobic and kick up the action.

2. Let McClane wisecrack away. 

    Let's be honest when Bruce Willis stepped into Die Hard he was coming out of the Moonlighting role and was allowed to use his humor to really move things along. He always kept you listening closely to the film, waiting for the next line to be remembered. Yippee Ki-Yay became more than a one off, it became the definition of McClane's attitude. It was and IS a calling card.

3. Bring a better villain to the stage.

    I'm sorry the villian in A Good Day to Die Hard was just BORING. Again something, even at it's worst, Die Hard always had the market cornered on was cool villians.

It's undeniable that Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) personified the perfect foil for McClane and the classic showdown that took place between the two will always be the platinum standard. But that doesn't mean we can't strive for better.

- Die Hard - Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) plus the smaller villains like Dick Thornburg (William Atherton) and even Karl made for great moments.

- Die Hard 2 - Esperanza (Franco Nero) and Col. Stuart (William Sadler) led the way, but you got William Atherton back along with John Amos.

- Die Hard With A Vengeance - I love me some Jeremy Irons. The fabulous actor came to an action blockbuster and had some fun in the role as Simon Gruber (yes...releated to Hans)

- Live Free or Die Hard - Even in this film, Timothy Olyphant is just purely cool and his coolness comes through onscreen.

4. Blow things up!

Let's be honest...we want things to blow up in these films. We want fights. Most of all we want are constant underdog John McClane to win. SO DO IT.

5. Keep it R Rated.

I was excited when I saw A Good Day to Die Hard went back to being an R rated feature, but disappointed when I saw the way they used it.

It's more than throwing in an "F" word with Yippee Ki-Yay.

It's McClane being an old school New York cop whose language is a part of him more than anything else.

It's gritty, real and effective language.

But not only in language, don't worry about firing at someone and blowing them away. Probably one of the most shocking scenes when I originally saw Die Hard was when Joseph Takagi (James Shigeta) states "you're just going to have to shoot me" and Hans doesn't hesitate and blows him away (sparing any remorse). It shocked but set the stage for the rest of the film to come, and boy was I ready. Sure I was 18 when I saw that film the first time, but man it still is a pretty intense moment today.

I believe keeping just those 5 steps in mind would really make a Die Hard 6 soar. But probably bigger than any of these, HAVE FUN. Die Hard should be a FUN film that you enjoy your 2 hours away from the world and the ride you take on with John McClane.

I'm sorry I didn't like A Good Day to Die Hard, but I WANT this series to suceed so I'm throwing my two cents out there.

Yippee Ki-Yay Die Hard!

Review - A Good Day To Die Hard

This Die Hard Dies

 

John McClane (Bruce Willis) is one of my favorite characters of all time. He has had that ability to be a smart wiseacre underdog that always finds a way.

 

I’ve loved the one-liners.

 

I’ve loved the resilience.

 

I’ve loved the action.

 

I’ve loved the explosions.

 

I’ve LOVED the Die Hard franchise.

 

But I didn’t love A Good Day To Die Hard.

 

Let’s do the short version on the plot here for everyone to bring you up to speed.

 

Jack McClane (Jai Courtney) is in trouble. A strange series of events has him in a Russian jail awaiting a hearing on killing a man. His dad John (Bruce Willis) tracked down his son and wants to reunite with him, but now travels from New York to Russia to try and free him from the law. And then…things get interesting.

 

You see, Jack is an agent of the CIA and was working deep cover on a case (which is why his dad hadn’t heard from him in awhile) when the alleged murder took place. Now, either John is in the wrong place at the wrong time…or he is just doing his job, as a New York City cop…in Russia; or his job as a father to bring his son home. Either way…a McClane always dies hard.

 

So now you know the story, or kind of know the story, but what did I think?

 

I’m a fan, so this is more a rant than a review.

 

I’ll be honest, I was prepared for this film to be “bad” and in the same breath be just what I wanted it to be. Unfortunately, it was just bad.

 

What I have come to love about John McClane is all of the things I mentioned above. Sure, I know the films have generally lacked realism…but I don’t care! In this film, they not only diminish realism they have neutered the life of John McClane.

 

What used to be a fun underdog that we all cheered for was lost. Sure he was still an underdog in this film, but the lack of a relatable surrounding hurt the character. We’ve seen LA, New York, Dulles Airport and the DC area on film a million times…and we can relate to the surroundings. Here we have a guy that is really out of place, that we just can’t believe how he got there and the process of events.

 

What used to be humorous and fun was gone. I think the screenplay is the biggest culprit here. There are ridiculous set ups and ridiculous leaps of faith that are taken to get the point across. And we don’t pepper it with a lot of humor. Instead McClane becomes generic action hero A. And that is NOT what he needs to be.

 

And while a couple of the explosions and action sequences DO pop, the bulk are just another scene type moments that will not go down in the annals of a fight with Hans Gruber. Which, by the way, is another thing missing here…a strong villain that you can hate from the get go.

 

But I think this can be saved…yes I’m an optimist. I’m sure many of the other reviews you will read will call for this to be the end of the Die Hard franchise, but I say NO!

 

They NEED to make a 6^th film in this series. They NEED to bring back the humor, the explosions, the action, the wittiness, the hectic recklessness, the cool villain, the heart and most of all the FUN that has made Die Hard movies become an institution.

 

Yes, I’m probably a bit nicer with my grade than most, I understand that, but I have a love affair with this franchise. It IS what made me love action films. And it can be again. But this Die Hard, and I’m sad to have to say this, just DIES.

 

C-

 

A Good Day To Die Hard

20^th Century Fox

 

Director: John Moore

Cast: Bruce Willis, Jai Courtney, Sebastian Koch

 

Rating: R for violence and language.

Runtime: 1 hour 37 minutes

 

 

 

Review - Safe Haven

Safe Haven Protects Sparks’ Turf

Nicholas Sparks is it when it comes to romance. Women swoon just knowing that a Sparks’ novel is coming to the big screen. And he has been known to deliver a story that puts couples together combining the beautiful and interesting people. Sitting down to Safe Haven, I knew I wasn’t really in my wheelhouse, but I thought I would give it a ride.

Here’s this Sparks journey.

A young woman named Katie (Julianne Hough) has ran from a problem. After jumping on a bus headed south, she just looks to find a place where she can blend in and start again, but why?

Here journey brings her to Alex’s (Josh Duhamel) little shop on the coast in the Carolinas. It is there that Katie begins to start again. Far from the problems she left behind, Katie begins to learn how to live again. As she starts to accept Alex and his family, the realization that not all behavior is like what existed in her life in the North. But can she fully accept him?

With the help of a nice neighbor Jo (Colbie Smulders), she will get some encouragement and lessons on how to love again. Accepting the kindness of strangers and moving forward instead of looking back will become her goal. But can she really put the past behind her?

In typical Sparks’ film fashion, we are treated to two likable main characters portrayed by Duhamel and Hough. They are people that we want to see succeed, even if we don’t know the back story on Hough. Throw in Colbie Smulders and we’ve got a really attractive, talented cast.

The story is there, and I can imagine this being a fabulous book. Sparks tells a good tale that takes trouble and turns it to love. He takes the simple and makes it beautiful. But as can be the challenge with Sparks’ stories, the transition to the screen is not always easy. And that is the case with Safe Haven.

Where the film fails the audience is the clunky manner in which the Sparks story translates to the screen. Transitions felt disjointed and out of place. Leaps of faith that, I’m sure must have been explained better in the book, leave you wondering and wanting more. But despite these issues, Safe Haven is still a film that will resonate with its target audience.

Nicholas Sparks provides a respite for romance fans and they will be happy to know that their haven is safe in this film.

B-
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Safe Haven                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Relativity Media

Director: Lasse Hallstrom

Cast: Julianne Hough, Josh Duhamel, Colbie Smulders

Rating: PG-13 for thematic material involving threatening behavior and violence and sexuality.

Runtime: 1 hours 55 minutes

Home Screening Room - The Session reveal...Skyfall reigns

I missed last week. That is too bad because the titles were really good. Flight (Denzel Washington, John Goodman), Here Comes the Boom (Kevin James, Henry Winkler), Alex Cross (Tyler Perry, Matthew Fox) and Celeste and Jesse Forever(Rashida Jones, Andy Samberg) are ALL worth a look on Bluray/DVD. But if I had to put preferences…see all but Alex Crossfirst (it’s the weakest of that batch). Celeste and Jesse Forever is vastly underrated and might surprise you. And the Blu-ray release of Peter Pan was truly a special addition to the collection…but I digress…that was last week…let’s move to NOW.

This Week's Big Releases

Bully – Rated PG-13

The Man with the Iron Fists – Rated R (RZA, Russell Crowe, Lucy Liu)

The Perks of Being a Wallflower – Rated PG-13 (Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Ezra Miller)

The Sessions – Rated R (John Hawkes, Helen Hunt)

Silent Hill: Revelation – Rated R (Sean Bean, Deborah Kara Unger, Radha Mitchell)

Skyfall – Rated PG-13 (Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Judi Dench)

Another solid week features two standouts in my mind. Skyfall is the new Bond film and with the initial action sequence, you will know you are in for a ride. Don’t make the mistake of not checking out the little gem, The Perks of Being a Wallflower. It’s the title that features what it’s like to grow up in a society for someone who just doesn’t fit in. And The Sessions features the award worthy performances of John Hawkes and Helen Hunt. They are both amazing in this film. Plus you’ve got the highly talked about documentary, Bully and much more.

Also New This Week

CrocZilla – Rated PG-13

Family Matters: The Complete Third Season

Gossip Girl: The Sixth and Final Season

Kill for Me – Rated R (Katie Cassidy, Tracy Spiridakos)

Matlock: The Eighth Season

Nurse Jackie: Season Four

Smiley – Rated R (Caitlin Gerard, Melanie Papalia)

Weeds: Season Eight, The Final Season

Wow, not sure what I can say about that group. CrocZilla – come on, you know you are curious!!!!! J But I can’t even find a trailer to link to! Plus the 80s sitcom Family Matters with Steve Urkel and the classic Matlock with Andy Griffith both have new seasons available. Cable hits Nurse Jackie and Weeds are available for you now even if you don’t have cable or satellite. And two horror/thrillers Kill for Me and Smiley (which I’ll admit - freaks me out just a little).

And the curious title for me…is Robot and Frank. I like the cast, Frank Langella is so talented and you throw in Susan Sarandon, James Marsden, Liv Tyler and a cool robot…LOVE IT…I’m in. Let’s take a look at that trailer below…

Robot and Frank - Rated PG-13 (Frank Langella, James Marsden, Liv Tyler, Susan Sarandon)

Final Score

Skyfall is a must add for the week. Blu-ray will make it POP. Depending on your tastes…there are a number of releases that will make perfect additions as well, but it’s up to your individual tastes. I’d also say go back to last week and grab Peter Pan on Blu…yes please.

Pop Popcorn, Do the DietDew, and Bust out the Blu and remember to Save Me A Seat!