Iron Giant Blu-ray Review

“For a distinctly American film in style and period, it’s voraciously anti-American in themes. Maybe there’s the key to Iron Giant’s lackluster theatrical performance. Set in the heart of June Cleaver’s purified 1950s, there are single mothers and artistic beatniks mixing with anti-bomb, anti-war, and the coup de gras, anti-gun leanings. A film too early then, rushing into a sensible conversation about firearms mere months after the Columbine tragedy exposed a most American of problems. So maybe Iron Giant was too uncomfortable to watch, or worse, it was correct on the issue before anyone realized. It’s hard to overcome the cultural fear of being in the wrong, let alone paying someone to tell us so.”

Read my full Iron Giant Blu-ray review at DoBlu

Godzilla (1984) Blu-ray Review

“In the back-half remains a big event monster picture, one elegant and ferocious despite some notably imperfect scenery. Godzilla’s obliteration of the Japanese mainland defense with a single breath connects to the allegory; Japan’s vulnerable against an irradiated threat. Once on land, Godzilla is less destructive than prior, more curious when dwarfed by the country’s growing economic status. Compare Godzilla 1954 and Godzilla 1984; the startling Western-like growth of the creature’s usual stomping grounds shows a country high in economic confidence, but in a film antsy about loss. The emblematic contrast is genuine.”

Read my full review of Godzilla (1984) at DoBlu

The Room Blu-ray Review

In the after effects, Room explores the morbid curiosity which follows – lawyers, gawking neighbors, and media. It’s about how families reject and react, but without any sensible means of dealing with such unfathomable trauma. Relationships tear, mental health deteriorates. And yet, perspective does not change – there is Jack staring on, simply trying to cope. His blank stares are debilitating.”

Read my full review of The Room at DoBlu

Pressure Point Blu-ray Review

“If there is reason for the film to be discovered, it’s Poitier’s exhilarating final monologue, blasting his patient’s blind ambivalence to an ugly cause. Distressing, Poitier’s words (“This is my country!”) fiercely reject a gross ideal which hasn’t changed. Darin’s belief in an “all-white Christian America” remain part of crude political dialogs. No matter how fierce Poitier becomes – here or via In the Heat of the Night – the words must bounce off their target.”

Read my full Blu-ray review of Pressure Point at DoBlu

Deadpool Review

“Marketing and fourth wall breaking are arguably too meta. An audience paying to rebel against nay-saying corporate figureheads by seeing Deadpool – “the movie the studio didn’t want to make” or some such nonsense –  are simultaneously paying a salary. Involving lesser X-Men mutants only furthers the agenda. Never mind that jokes about throwing away cash on prior Reynolds superhero failures are totally okay; we’re all supposed to laugh at ourselves for expecting better.”

Read my full review of Deadpool at DoBlu

Straight Outta Compton Blu-ray Review

“NWA’s story earns a cinematic spotlight with what is unlikely to be coincidental timing. Straight Outta Compton’s historical run through Rodney King’s saga still echoes. Compton’s capacity to show contrast between innocence and corruption is a bit part in the wider scope, yet necessary to ground the group’s appropriately angry “Fuck tha Police.” The anthem has served beyond its years, not a mere time capsule, but a lingering, powerful snapshot of political and racially charged brutality. Straight Outta Compton comes from a particular place and particular voice – “Fuck tha Police” defined the group’s impacting legacy.”

Read my full review of Straight Outta Compton on DoBlu

Comin’ at Ya Blu-ray Review

“There is something to be said for a film enamored with the process. 3D inspiration is abound and ridiculous – an infant lowered into view, hands groping the audience, yo-yos, peeling onions; anything is suitable, sensible or not. Anthony treats his role seriously, unaware of the exploitation’s process. His character must be aware of the absurdity. Worse, Comin’ at Ya is only dressing up a placid revenge tale in 3D. It’s a story of helpless women sold into brothels and the man who comes to save them, old fashioned and uncomfortably bland.”

Read my full review of Comin’ at Ya on DoBlu

Fantastic Four (2015) Blu-ray Review

“Integral to the Fantastic Four as characters is acceptance – being okay with differences, making the most out of what you are, even if that is “fantastically” unique. Here being different means being confined to rooms or being forced to hide out in a secluded forest until an inter-dimensional madmen opens a black hole. For what they were, the mid-2000 Fantastic Four films made the title heroes superstars. They were loved and appreciated by society at large for their unique qualities. The reboot reviles their existence, treating them like disabled animals in cages to serve an agenda of authoritative paranoia.”

Read my full review of Fantastic Four at DoBlu

Aladdin Blu-ray Review

“Aladdin would likely (and sadly) bomb in 2015 given its setting, even if this story is catapulted by a slew of American additions. Aladdin (Scott Weinger) finds success on his own, without family. Each key character is espousing American values of freedom – Aladdin to escape poverty, Jasmine (Linda Larkin) to leave her castle, Jafar (Johnathan Freeman) to rise above his crooked underling status. Even Genie wishes for a life away from a master commanding him to grant wishes.”

Read my full Blu-ray review of Aladdin at DoBlu

Them! Blu-ray Review

“Them breaks America’s spirit. Guns are left broken on the ground; for once they’re not enough. The film shrieks at science for their atomic breakthroughs, generic in modern times if delivered with eerie prominence from Edmund Gwenn’s Dr. Medford and the sizable form of James Arness. World War II’s veterans are fighters, but also alcoholics committed to special hospital wings. Them even cites the Bible to suggest civilization has lived up to the worst of our potential – “We may be witnesses of a Biblical prophecy come true.”

Read my full Blu-ray review of Them! at DoBlu