On DVD/Blu-ray – Review: The Intouchables (2011)
by NIR SHALEV
Nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film, The Intouchables tells the story of quadriplegic aristocrat Philippe (François Cluzet) and his new caregiver Driss (Omar Sy). Driss is from the projects and lives a lackluster life but isn’t a bad person. Philippe chooses him over many other qualified caregivers simply because he isn’t as boring or predictable as all of the other candidates. Read more 
On DVD/Blu-ray – Review: Searching for Sugar Man (2012)
by NIR SHALEV
Rodriguez was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. He played guitar and sang in bars, dives, and clubs. By day he worked in construction and built houses. As a musician he was discovered in the clubs and went on to release two records in the early 1970s. Then he disappeared off the face of the Earth. Word had it that he’d committed suicide on stage by setting himself ablaze; others said he’d shot himself. Basically, he disappeared. Read more
On DVD/Blu-ray – Review: Dredd (2012)
by NIR SHALEV
Who would have thought that the best comic book film adaptation of 2012 would be of Judge Dredd? The character first appeared in 1977 and even though the dreadful (pun intended) Sylvester Stallone vehicle exists, the character still remains relatively unknown across the globe. But after watching this South African/UK co-production, I have a feeling that Dredd will be making a big comeback, and soon. Read more
On DVD/Blu-ray – Review: Liberal Arts (2012)
by NIR SHALEV
Writer/director Josh Radnor stars as Jesse, a 35-year old who returns to his alma mater in order to attend his favorite college professor’s retirement party. While there, he also meets a 19-year old college student named Zibby (Elizabeth Olsen). Before Jesse goes back home, he and Zibby exchange numbers. Read more
On DVD/Blu-ray – Review: Ted (2012)
by NIR SHALEV
As a young boy, John Bennett once received a Christmas gift of a teddy bear. He loved his teddy bear very much, and one night he made a wish that he’d become a real best friend. Well, the following morning his teddy bear was able to walk on its own and talk. John’s parents freaked out and held up kitchen knives. But after a few seconds, reality had kicked in and everyone was calm again. Read more
On DVD/Blu-ray – Review: Savages (2012)
by NIR SHALEV
Oliver Stone returns to form with this violent and offbeat yet colorful and intriguing tale of love and how far two men will go to retrieve it from the evil clutches of Mexican gangsters. That and their dope. Read more
On DVD/Blu-ray – Review: The Return of the Living Dead (1985)
by NIR SHALEV
Editor’s Note: Nir wrote this review in celebration of Halloween, but my trial commitments kept me from putting it up until this week. Take it as an early recommendation for next year and not a commentary on Election Day.
Freddy (Thom Mathews) just started his new job at the Uneeda Medical Supply warehouse and is receiving his tour of the place. His boss Frank (James Karen) secretly discloses to him that George Romero’s film The Night of the Living Dead (1968) is loosely based on a true story and that due to a shipping mishap several cadavers that were exposed to a dangerous, experimental, toxic nerve gas have been stored in the basement of their warehouse. Read more
Capsule Movie Review – Argo (2012)
by HELEN GEIB
Argo is an engrossing thriller based on a little known chapter of the Iran Hostage Crisis. Six Americans escaped the embassy by a back door and were granted refuge by Canada. To use the CIA’s apt codename, they became the Houseguests of the Canadian ambassador and his wife. Read more
Capsule Movie Review – Taken 2 (2012)
by HELEN GEIB
Luc Besson is listed as a co-screenwriter on Taken 2 but I don’t believe it. Now, the “based on characters created by” credit is okay. The story is a direct continuation of Taken (2009), as the paterfamilias of the Albanian crime gang that kidnapped Kim seeks revenge on Bryan Mills (Liam Nesson, bringing his A game again), using Kim (Maggie Grace) and her mom (Famke Janssen) as leverage. The producer credit is fine too. Filming on-location on the streets of a great capital is a Besson calling card; often Paris like in the first movie, this time Istanbul. Read more
On DVD/Blu-ray – Review: Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 (2012)
by NIR SHALEV
When confronted with the name Frank Miller most people associate it with the ultra-violent, terrifically edgy and stylized, black and white noir-like comic book series Sin City (and its terrific film adaptation). True, hardcore comic book fans would always associate the name with the 1986 masterpiece The Dark Knight Returns. Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 is a brilliant adaption of the first two books (out of four) in the 200+ page comic. Read more
