Poupelle of Chimney Town Arrives on Blu-ray

Following its theatrical release and after being available to own digitally, Poupelle of Chimney Town makes its arrival on Blu-ray. The Blu-ray/DVD combo pack features both English audio and Japanese audio with English subtitles. Fans ordering through the Shout! Factory website can receive an exclusive poster while supplies last. The film was produced at the famed STUDIO4ºC in Tokyo, Japan. The film played a number of film festivals prior to its theatrical release in December,…

"Poupelle of Chimney Town Arrives on Blu-ray"

Being The Ricardos: I Love Lucy But Not This Film

Being The Ricardos may try its best but the new film–written and directed by Aaron Sorkin–contains a host of problems. First and foremost, Javier Bardem is from Spain, not Cuba. To have better representation, the actor playing Desi Arnaz should be from Cuba. Depending on who you speak with, this is potentially a major problem. Sorkin’s opinion on the matter–see interview link below–is that “Spanish and Cuban aren’t actable.” He believes that the same also…

"Being The Ricardos: I Love Lucy But Not This Film"

Eat Wheaties! Is A Cringe Classic In The Making

Eat Wheaties!, starring Tony Hale, is a cringe-comedy and has all the necessary ingredients to become a new comedy classic. I cringed throughout this entire film. True, it’s a cringe-comedy but it’s not an anxiety-inducing comedy. The gist of the film is that Sid Straw (Tony Hale) is asked to co-chair the University of Pennsylvania west coast college reunion. Unfortunately for him, he also gets recruited to join Facebook. All the reunion planning is taking…

"Eat Wheaties! Is A Cringe Classic In The Making"

AFI FEST 2020: Nine Days

Nine Days features a unique take on the concept of life as one man has the sole power to decide which souls will be born on Earth. Will (Winston Duke) spends his days watching human life on older television sets thanks to videos recorded by Kyo (Benedict Wong).  Think of him as a gatekeeper as he watches people living their daily lives.  It’s a thankless job but I suppose somebody has to do it.  The…

"AFI FEST 2020: Nine Days"

To The Stars Is Now Available

To The Stars, which first premiered during the 2019 Sundance Film Festival, is now available for audiences to watch from the comfort of their homes. I had the opportunity to speak with director Martha Stephens and co-leads Kara Hayward and Liana Liberato. My five-star review as it ran last year during Sundance: To The Stars is a beautifully crafted coming-of-age story set in 1960s rural Oklahoma and continues the trend of deeply affecting films shot…

"To The Stars Is Now Available"

Toy Story 4 arrives on Blu-ray

Fans of Toy Story 4 are now able to bring home the fourth chapter of the longest-running Pixar franchise on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD. This film could very well mark the end of an era.  One thing that is almost for sure, Woody’s story is likely at an end.  Whether Disney-Pixar Animation decide to go forward remains to be determined.  Your guess is as good as mine at this point. BONUS FEATURES (may…

"Toy Story 4 arrives on Blu-ray"

Toy Story 4 Could Be A Satisfying Conclusion

Toy Story 4 could very well be a satisfying conclusion and the end of the line for the 24-year-old Disney-Pixar franchise. The opening prologue starts out some nine years ago when the team comes together to save a toy.  Unbeknownst to them, Bo Peep (Annie Potts) is set to be given away.  It’s not an easy farewell for Woody (Tom Hanks) after all they’ve been through but all one can do is move forward in…

"Toy Story 4 Could Be A Satisfying Conclusion"

Sundance 2019: To The Stars

To The Stars is a beautifully crafted coming-of-age story set in 1960s rural Oklahoma and continues the trend of deeply affecting films shot in black and white. Iris Deerborne (Kara Hayward) doesn’t have the best home life or school life.  It’s no wonder that she chooses to spend so much time by herself at the nearby pond.  Between her mother being an alcoholic and everyone teasing her at school, it’s not the best life.  Hell,…

"Sundance 2019: To The Stars"

Sadie: A Satire for War

Through the lens of its 13-year old protagonist, Sadie displays the toll that the military takes on American families while family members are on tour. Sadie (Sophia Mitri Schloss) lives at home with her mother, Rae (Melanie Lynskey), in the Shady Plains Trailer Park.  Sadie patiently waits for her dad, John, to come home.  He’s serving tour overseas in spite of the many promises to return home.  She’s loyal to her dad in this sense and…

"Sadie: A Satire for War"

Brave New Jersey: An Absurd War of the Worlds Comedy

Brave New Jersey is an absurd comedy about the reaction to the War of the Worlds radio broadcast. Directed by Jody Lambert from a script written by Michael Dowling & Lambert, the comedy stars Tony Hale, Heather Burns, Anna Camp, Dan Bakkedahl, Sam Jaeger, Grace Kaufman, Mel Rodriguez, Matt Oberg, Erika Alexander, Leonard Earl Howze, Evan Jonigkeit, Harp Sandman, Noah Lomax, and Raymond J. Barry. Lambert was the co-writer of People Like Us and this…

"Brave New Jersey: An Absurd War of the Worlds Comedy"