DVD Review: "Green Lantern: Emerald Knights"

In less than two weeks Warner Brothers Pictures will release one of the most anticipated summer movies of 2011 when "Green Lantern" bursts onto movie screens across the country.

But if you can't wait that long to get your "green-on" then check out the new direct to DVD release "Green Lantern: Emerald Knights." Adopting a similar format to the 2008 release, "Batman: Gotham Knight," the DVD is not 1 feature length but rather 6 stories as told by Green Lantern Hal Jordan.

If you are unfamiliar with the Green Lantern Corps legacy then this DVD will more than help fill in the gaps and bring you up to speed for the "Green Lantern" motion picture.

The story begins with the entire Green Lantern Corps being called out for battle. As they wait to charge their rings Hal Jordan explains the history of the Corps to new female recruit Arisia. Over the next 90 minutes Arisia is introduced to - while we witness - the stories of famous Corps members throughout history such as Abin Sur, Laira and Mogo.

The animation is fantastic and the Warner Brothers team has created a landscape for the characters like none we have seen before in a DC Direct film. The action sequences are exciting and the voiceover talent (please forgive me) is out of this world with Nathan Fillion front and center as the perfect Hal Jordan.

The rest of the cast includes Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men) as Arisia, Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter films), Arnold Vosloo (The Mummy) as Abin Sur and many others. The only casting misstep for me is former Black Flag singer Henry Rollins as Kilowog. Rollins does not possess the deep gruff voice that is usually associated with this fan favorite character, and although the segment featuring Kilowog is very good, it would have been far better with an actor of note in the role.

If you're anxious to see the "Green Lantern" movie then "Green Lantern: Emerald Knights" is guaranteed to fuel your excitement. By the end of it you will know all you need to know about the history of this great character! You might even find yourself looking in the mirror and saying…

“In brightest day, in blackest night,

No evil shall escape my sight.

Let those who worship evil’s might,

Beware my power… Green Lantern’s light!“

I did and it felt good!!

Drumroll please… 8 out of 10 lanterns!!!

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Criterion A Day #7 - Fat Girl

The Criterion Collection, a continuing series of important classic and contemporary films...

Pop Culture Beast presents a Criterion-a-Day, reviewing Criterion titles daily, every other week (until we run out).

Fat Girl
Spine #259
Written and Directed by:  Catherine Breillat
Starring: Anais Reboux, Roxane Mesquida, Libero de Rienzo, Arsinee Khanjian, Romain Goupil and Laura Betti
Special features:  Behind-the-scenes footage of the making of Fat Girl, two video interviews with director Catherine Breillat, one conducted the might after the film's world premiere at the 2001 Berlin Film Festival, the other a look back at the film's production and alternate ending, French and US theatrical trailers, booklet featuring an essay by film scholar Ginette Vincendeau, a 2001 interview with Breillat and a piece by Breillat on the title.


From the box:

Twelve-year-old Aniais is fat.  Her sister, fifteen-year-old Elena, is a beauty.  While the girls are on vacation with their parents, Anais tags along as Elena explores the dreary seaside town.  Elena meets Fernando, an Italian law student; he seduces her with promises of love, and the ever watchful Anais bears witness to the corruption of her sister's innocence.  Fat Girl is not only a portrayal of female adolescent sexuality and the complicated bond between siblings but also a shocking assertion by the always controversial Catherine Breillat that violent oppression exists at the core of male- female relations.


I'm not entirely sure how to classify this one.  It's a  fascinating study of youth and sexuality and the relationship between two sisters but it suffers the same fate as another french film that was on the path to brilliance, Haute Tension.  In the case of both of these films, the endings kinda ruin everything.

I won't spoil this one so fear not, suffice it to say, it's just to shocking to even be shocking.  In fact, I was questioning what I was even seeing as being real.  It was too much and it very nearly ruined the rest of the movie.

That said, Fat Girl is beautifully shot and wonderfully acted.  The performances from the two leads are fearless and poignant.  In fact, it's the performances and the beauty of the shots that really save this movie. 

Criterion has again done a great job with the transfer.  The special features are a bit lacking but its worth a watch, despite the extremely flawed ending.

The movie seems to want to demonize men a little bit and being a French film, you see much more than you might be used to seeing in an American movie so be aware of that. 

Overall, Fat Girl is almost a great film that suffers from a wacky ending that sort of leaves one wondering why? The ending doesn't quite ruin the film but it gets pretty close.

Fat Girl

Criterion Collection #259

Pop Culture Beast Rating

7/10

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Uncharted 3 E3 2011 Trailer [HD]

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Bioshock Infinite E3 2011 Teaser Trailer [HD]

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Dead Island E3 Exclusive 2011 Trailer [HD]

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Assassins Creed Revelations E3 2011 Trailer [HD]

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E3: Nintendo announces Wii U

Here is the launch trailer for Nintendo's new console the Wii U.   It seems like it might be a great console.  I just hope it doesn't end up another paperweight/dust collector which is what my Wii is right now.



What do you think?

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Top 6 FREE Games of the Day for iPhone/iPod/iPad 6/7/2011

Best FREE Games of the Day for your iDevice.
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Criterion A Day #6 - The Great Dictator

The Criterion Collection, a continuing series of important classic and contemporary films...

Pop Culture Beast presents a Criterion-a-Day, reviewing Criterion titles daily, every other week (until we run out).

The Great Dictator
Spine #565
Written and Directed by: Charles Chaplin
Starring: Charles Chaplin, Jack Oakie, Reginald Gardiner, Henry Daniell, Billy Gilbert, Grace Hayle, Carter DeHaven and Paulette Goddard
Special Features:  Audio commentary from Charlie Chaplin historians Dan Kamin and Hooman Mehran, The Tramp and the Dictator (2001) documentary paralleling the lives of Hitler and Chaplin, Two visual essays, color production footage shot by Chaplin's half-brother Sydney, Barbershop sequence from Sydney Chaplin's 1921 from King, Queen Joker, Deleted barbershop sequence from Chaplin's 1919 film Sunnyside, rerelease trailer and a booklet featuring an essay from film critic Michael Wood, Chaplin's 1940 defense of his movie, a reprint from critic Jean Narboni and Al Hirshfeld's original press book illustrations.

From the box:

In his controversial masterpiece The Great Dictator, Charlie Chaplin offers both a cutting caricature of Adolf Hitler and a sly tweaking of his own comic persona.  Chaplin, in his first pure talkie, brings his sublime physicality to two roles: the cruel yet clownish  "Tomainian" dictator and the kindly Jewish barber who is mistaken for him.  Featuring Jack Oakie and Paulette Goddard in stellar supporting turns, The Great Dictator boldly going after the fascist leader before the U.S.'s official entry into World War II, is an audacious amalgam of politics and slapstick that culminates in Chaplin's famously impassioned speech.

I may love movies but I do have a lot to learn.  Most especially when it comes to classic cinema like this.  To be honest, I'd never heard of The Great Dictator.  To be further honest, I'm not all that well versed in Chaplin's work at all (which makes me even more excited for a future installment of CAD featuring Modern Times!) so this title was an unusual way to jump into his work. 

The Great Dictator is Chaplin's first real talkie and I was really interested to see how he handles the challenge.  Well he was pretty flawless to be honest.  Even as one who relied mostly on physicality in his films of the past, his delivery was extremely natural.  I absolutely love his faux German speech.  It's hilarious to hear him sputtering and spitting out words like wiener schnitzel and sour kraut. 

It is a really sweet and funny movie that has a deep message that rings true even today, despite the subject matter of the film.  It really is timeless.

The entire cast is funny and give really great performances.  I don't think any of the charm of the silent Tramp movies are lost on the move to talkies and the cast does a lot to maintain that.  Although, there are some who say that the speech at the end of the movie is out of character for the tramp and to be honest I somewhat agree.  The thing is that it's an important component to the movie and the story and it was a meaningful moment of the film. 

If I had to come up with a negative it's that the movie is just a bit too long.  It clocks in at about two hours and five minutes and despite the laughs and the charm, you do start to feel that time.  That really is the only bad thing I can say about The Great Dictator.

Criterion has again delivered a wonderful transfer as the film looks just gorgeous.  The picture is crystal clear and the audio top notch.  As for special features, the disc has a few that supplement the film nicely including a documentary and some deleted footage.  For me though, the most interesting wasn't on the disc but int he booklet.  The small piece that Chaplin wrote in defense of the ending of this movie.  It's really interesting to read his thoughts and his words on the matter.


All in all, The Great Dictator is another great release from Criterion and a great film, if a little long, that makes for great laughs and an enjoyable watch.

The Great Dictator

Criterion Collection #565

Pop Culture Beast Rating

9/10

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2011 Gathering Of The Juggalos Infomercial

You know you've been waiting for it and now it's here.

I give you the infomercial for the 12th Annual Gathering of the Juggalos.

It's def NSFW.

I call it Juggalos in Space.

Enjoy the newest Juggalo ninja too. You'll see who I mean.

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Movie Trailer: The Twilight Saga - Breaking Dawn Part One

Was it really necessary to split this into two movies?

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DVD Review: "Gnomeo & Juliet"

The opening line of the new DVD release "Gnomeo & Juliet" says it all…

"The story you are about to see has been told before…a lot. And now we are going to tell it again… but different."

And so begins the retelling of Shakespeare's classic tale of Romeo and Juliet. But this time all of the action takes place in a couple of suburban back yards between 2 feuding families of garden gnomes! Instead of the Montagues and the Capulets we get the Blue Gnomes and the Red Gnomes. In case you hadn't guessed, this movie is animated and for kids.

The title characters are voiced by James McAvoy and Emily Blunt while the rest of the voice talent is just about the most eclectic ever. For every Michael Caine, Maggie Smith or Patrick Stewart you also get an Ozzy Osbourne, Dolly Parton or Hulk Hogan.

Director Kelly Asbury (Shrek 2 and Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron) has done a great job at keeping the action fast paced for boys and the romance sweet for girls. The computer animation looks amazing. The gnomes actually look like they are made of wood and the landscapes have a realistic depth.

"Gnomeo & Juliet" is executive produced by Elton John so it should come as no surprise that his music fills the soundtrack. From classic tracks like "Crocodile Rock" and "Tiny Dancer" to new songs such as "Hello, Hello" and "Love Builds a Garden" the soundtrack gives the film an upbeat, happy feel throughout.

The DVD also contains some excellent special features including music videos, deleted scenes and multiple alternate endings.

The film is rated G so you don't have to worry about "Gnomeo & Juliet" jumping into a wood chipper because this film does end "happily ever after." Although it might not appeal to every age group in your household, younger children (probably 8 and under) will really enjoy the rocking rollicking adventures of "Gnomeo & Juliet."

Drumroll please… 7 out of 10 pointy hats!!

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Music Review: Stevie Nicks ~ "In Your Dreams"

Grab your leather, lace and 6 inch boots because Stevie Nicks twirls back to the music scene with her best solo album in 25 years.

"In Your Dreams" is Nicks' 7th CD and her first since 2001's uneven "Trouble In Shangri-La." While that CD suffered from "too many cooks" syndrome with producer credit going to 8 people and songwriting credits going to 9, "In Your Dreams" is more focused and - in case you're wondering - yes, it rocks!!

The album was produced by Dave Stewart (Eurythmics, Mick Jagger, Jon Bon Jovi) and Glen Ballard (Alanis Morissette, Goo Goo Dolls). This time, Nicks has kept the writing to herself and Stewart (with the exception of Edgar Allen Poe on "Annabel Lee.")

The album is just about perfect and can easily sit along side "Bella Donna," "The Wild Heart" and "Rock A Little" as one of her best releases. Among the 13 songs you'll find ghosts, vampires, secret lovers and almost any mystical reference that long time fans have come to expect and love. The first single, "Secret Love," kicks off the album and right out of the gate the CD is off and rocking. Other standout rockers include: "In Your Dreams," and "Ghosts Are Gone."

The band is tight. Guest musicians include Mike Campbell of The Heartbreakers as well as Fleetwood Mac bandmates Mick Fleetwood and guitarist Lindsey Buckingham who plays guitar and sings on "Soldiers Angel" a song based on a poem Nicks wrote and distributed to soldiers injured in battle during the Iraq War.

The album comes to a close perfectly with a duet called "Cheaper Than Free." The song is about the loving bond between two people and is sung with sweet sincerity by Nicks and Stewart. They may not be a couple romantically, but professionally and musically they have produced a collection of songs that gets better with every listen.

With this release Nicks has once again crafted the kind of album that has made her just as popular a solo artist as she is with Fleetwood Mac. To have two successful careers in music is a feat not done by many and, to be honest, other than Ms. Nicks, only the name Phil Collins comes to mind. Her success is a testament to her dedication as a song writer as well as her talent and determination to succeed.

Drumroll please… 8 out of 10 white winged doves!!

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Blu-ray Review: I Am Number Four

I Am Number Four
Written by:  Alfred Gough, Miles Millar and Marti Noxon based on the book by Pittacus Lore
Directed by: DJ Caruso
Starring: Alex Pettyfer, Tomothy Olyphant, Teresa Palmer, Dianna Agron, Callan McAuliffe and Kevin Durand
Special Features: Deleted Scenes, Bloopers and "Becoming Number Six" - Follow actress Teresa Palmer as she masters her stunts, surprising everyone including herself.

From the box:

Three are dead.  Who is Number Four?  Fro,m director D.J. Caruso (Disturbia), producer Michael Bay (Transformers) and the writers of TV's Smallville comes this gripping action-packed thriller.  John Smith (Alex Pettyfer) is an extraordinary teen masking his true identity to elude a deadly enemy sent to destroy him.  Living with his guardian (Timothy Olyphant) in the small town he now calls home, John encounters unexpected, life0changing events - his first love (Dianna Agron, TV's Glee), powerful new abilities and a secret connection to the others who share his incredible destiny.  Complete with deleted scenes an more, I Am Number For is an explosive, suspense-filled ride that will take you to the edge of your seat and beyond.

Word was that I Am Number Four was Twilight with aliens and to be honest I did get that vibe a bit when I saw the trailers.  Well it turns out not to be at all like Twlight.  Sure there is a bit of a love story but there is none of the overwrought emoting and gag worthy doe eyed stares that make one want to run for the nearest cliff.

I Am Number Four is, unlike the abysmal Twilight films, actually good.  It's downright fun.  The action is exciting, the acting is pretty good for the most part, only Dianna Agron seems a little wooden but I still like her.

Despite myself, I was taken in by the lore and the story.  It was far better than I had expected it to be based on the trailers.  I was pleasantly surprised.  Sure it isn't perfect but you can't help getting caught up in the characters.

The film looks great on blu-ray with the effects and explosions looking glorious.  The sound is very well done as well.  I had to keep lowering the volume so I didn't bother the neighbors.

Unfortunately, the disc is light on special features with a few deleted scenes, a blooper reel and a featurette featuring Teresa Palmer, who was pretty damn cool as Number Six.  She was a scene stealer for sure.

I don't know how the odds are for a sequel to I Am Number Four.  The book sequel, The Power of Six, comes out later this august, so I can only hope we see that on the big screen.

I really think this has the chance to be a pretty great franchise if the studio gets behind it and gives it a chance.  In a year of major disappointments like The Last Airbender, movies like I Am Number Four gives a little hope that it's not all bad.

I Am Number Four is available now.

I Am Number Four

Pop Culture Beast Rating

8/10

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X-Men: First Class Review

People have a tendency to cringe at the word sequel, but those people have never heard of The Empire Strikes Back, Aliens, Terminator 2: Judgement Day, or The Dark Knight (just to name a few). It gets a bit excessive when it's the fourth (fifth if you count Wolverine) movie in a series such as The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, Resident Evil: Afterlife, or Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.

However, X-Men: First Class is none of these! Matthew Vaughn (Kick-Ass, Stardust) has done an amazing job of directing by far the best movie of the X-Men Franchise. I'll admit that I was skeptical at first of how I felt with the "First Class" not actually being the same as they were in the comics, but I quickly got over it. A number of "B list" X-Men debut in this movie, giving us a unique take on the story we thought we all knew. Rounding out the team lead by Professor X and Magneto are Banshee, Beast, Mystique, and Havok.

Without giving too much away, the main plot is that Sebastian Shaw (Kevin Bacon) is trying to ignite a nuclear war in the midst of the Cuban Missile Crisis. The time period is extremely convincing with the sets and the costumes. January Jones, who is no stranger to looking sexy in 60s fashion is great as Emma Frost. Michael Fassbender makes a really convincing and cool Magneto, at times he looks and acts like Sean Connery's James Bond (which could make a great case for his recent desire to take over Bond after Daniel Craig). James McAvoy really brings a young and hopeful side to Professor X.

All in all this was an amazing film telling the origin of the X-Men with new characters and some old familiar faces. My only concern is that in a summer full of superhero movies, this one might get overshadowed, which is ashame because it is one of the best.

X-Men: First Class is a 9 out of 10 Mutants!

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