Blu-Ray Review: HARLEY AND THE DAVIDSONS

Starring Michiel Hulsman, Bug Hall, Robert Aramayo, Daniel Coonan, Gabriel Luna, Annie Read, Essa O'Shea, Hera Hilmar. Directed by Ciaran Donnelly & Stephen Kay. (2016, 236 min).

LIONSGATE

This three-part miniseries, which first aired on the Discovery Channel, will be of great interest to Harley-Davidson aficionados. However, anyone looking for dramatic storytelling may find it less compelling.

The first episode is easily the strongest, which depicts the humble beginnings of meek-but-brilliant engineer Bill Harley (Robert Aramoyo), opportunistic huckster Arthur Davidson (Bug Hall) and his strong-willed, rebellious older brother, Walter (Michiel Huisman). From the construction of their very first motorbike, these guys' struggle to find support to compete with other manufacturers and make a brand name for themselves is an interesting rags-to-riches story. Their primary rival is George Hendee (Philip Brodie), the unscrupulous founder of Indian motorcycles, who is both contemptuous and envious of these young upstarts.

"No, it doesn't come with training wheels."

All the while, we see the evolution of what would someday become the gold standard of motorcycles. While bikers and motorsports enthusiasts will find this fascinating (the technical development segments seem pretty authentic), Harley and the Davidsons starts to lose its dramatic footing about halfway through, becoming more inconsistent and episodic. Some potentially major plot developments are briefly touched upon before being almost too quickly resolved or forgotten about altogether. For example, episode two ends on a massive cliffhanger, with Indian spearheading a lawsuit against Harley-Davidson for patent violation, which could destroy the company. Yet, episode three simply picks things up ten years later; neither Indian or the lawsuit are mentioned again and we never learn how Harley-Davidson overcame this devastating development. It's almost as though an entire episode is missing.

Overall, the performances are decent (though the aging make-up isn't) and even though the three lead characters aren't particularly dynamic, we genuinely grow to like them. There's also some nice attention to period detail and great pleasure to be had in watching these machines become faster over the years, winning races and leaving their competition in the dust. Harley and the Davidson isn't going to sweep the Emmys or anything, but motorheads are sure to enjoy it.

EXTRA KIBBLES:

“The Making of Harley and the Davidsons”

“Biketacular” (an hour-long special which first aired on the Discovery Channel; countdown of the greatest motorcycles ever built)
DVD & Digital Copies

KITTY CONSENSUS:

NOT BAD...LIKE CAT CHOW

Happy 100th Birthday, Kirk Douglas

Kirk Douglas (Born Dec. 9, 1916)

Blu-Ray Review: CALL OF HEROES

Starring Sean Lau, Louis Koo, Eddie Peng, Yuan Quan, Jiang Shuying, Wu Jing. Directed by Benny Chan / Action Directed by Sammo Hung. (2016, 120 min).

WELL GO USA

Sometimes the best westerns aren't made in the West at all.

While Call of Heroes isn't technically a western, it plays just like one and wears its influences proudly, from the story, which recalls the likes of The Magnificent Seven & High Noon, to the main characters and music, with more-than-passing nods to Sergio Leone and Ennio Morricone. But this isn't a mere homage; with well-drawn characters, sharp dialog and a compelling story, this Hong Kong-Chinese co-production is one of the better action films released this year.

The story takes place in 1914 at the end of the Qing Dynasty. The government is trying to halt the advances of a brutal warlord. With its own army away at the front lines, the town of Pucheng is vulnerable; only Sheriff Yeung (Sean Lau) & his deputies remain to keep everyone safe. The warlord's sadistic son, Cho (Louis Koo), comes into town one day and viciously murders three people just for the thrill of it. Yeung arrests him, which brings Cho's own troops into town, demanding they set him free. When he refuses, the entire town must prepare for an upcoming invasion. Aiding Yeung is a young, charismatic drifter, Ma Fung (Eddie Peng), who's reluctantly drawn into the conflict after his sense of justice is put to the test by a childhood friend who's now serving under Cho.

"Woah...maybe it's time you got that dog of yours neutered."

Call of Heroes' tone runs the gamut from fast, funny and frenetic to violent, philosophical and, in one jarring scene, heart-breaking. Yet it's all put together seamlessly, aided immeasurably by a script that makes the most out of a can't miss formula...triumph against insurmountable odds. It's heroes are genuinely complex and likable, boasted by solid performances all around. Lau is to this film what Gary Cooper was to High Noon, playing the sheriff with a stoic sense of duty and honor; Peng (who my wife pointed out looks exactly like an Asian Ryan Reynolds) makes an ultra-cool (and funny) antihero. As Cho, Koo is a truly hateful, despicable villain; you'll likely be praying for his agonizing death within a few minutes of his first appearance.

No, Louis Koo is not playing a Bond villain.

Director Benny Chan (with considerable assistance from martial arts legend, Sammo Hung) provide numerous action set-pieces that are wonderfully choreographed – nearly balletic in their complexity – yet brutally intense. Aside from a bit of questionable CGI here and there, we feel like we're right in the middle of the mayhem.

We review a fair amount of Asian action films here, but like both films in The Raid franchise, Call of Heroes transcends its genre. It's simply a great action film that plays like a classic western in all the best ways possible. This definitely a Blu-Ray worth picking up. They should have stuck with it's original title, though, The Deadly Reclaim. Call of Heroes sounds more like a video game.

EXTRA KIBBLES:

Making-Of Featurette: In eight 1-3 minute chapters

Trailer

KITTY CONSENSUS:

 
MEE-OW! BETTER THAN A FRESH CAN 'O TUNA

Rest in Peace, Margaret Whitton

Margaret Whitton (1950-2016)

Blu-Ray Review: DEAD RISING: ENDGAME

Starring Jesse Metcalfe, Marie Avgeropoulos, Ian Tracey, Keegan Connor Tracy, Jessica Harmon, Patrick Sabongui, Billy Zane, Dennis Haysbert. Directed by Pat Williams. (2016, 96 min).

SONY

This is a sequel to last year's Dead Rising: Watchtower, a not-half-bad adaptation of the popular zombie game series. Like the original, Dead Rising: Endgame premiered on the Crackle streaming network. While not quite as amusing - or easy to follow – this one is decent enough if you keep your expectations in check.

Endgame begins with the conceit that viewers are already up-to-speed on the events of the first film. Though Watchtower was fairly enjoyable, it wasn't anything that stuck with me long afterwards, so I found myself a little lost. Endgame continues the story two years later and hits the ground running, and even though a few of the returning major characters jogged my memory a bit, it took awhile to remember what the hell they were up to in the first place.

"I know you wanna help, but the rest of us would feel more comfortable if you threw some pants on."

In a nutshell, Jesse Metcalfe is back as investigative reporter Chase Carter (though he acts more like a super-soldier), who returns to the fictional city of East Mission to uncover a nasty plot hatched by General Lyons (Dennis Haysbert). This time, Lyons and the pharmaceutical company that makes Zombrex (which prevents people from turning into ravenous undead) are planning to use the same drug to wipe out over a million people. Chase is also hoping to find Jordan (Keegan Connor Tracy), who was abducted at the end of the first film.

Be ready for anything when venturing out on Black Friday.

Viewers coming into this movie cold will be completely lost and are probably better off simply sitting back and enjoying the zombie-killing mayhem, which isn't bad for what's essentially direct-to-video fodder. Plus, at no extra charge, there's a glorified cameo by Billy Zane (of course, Billy Zane!) as a sadistic doctor who experiments on both the living and the dead.

One thing Endgame does lack is the same sense of humor that made the original sort of a lowbrow hoot. In that one, Rob Riggle as a gung-ho TV personality would pop-up whenever the story threatened to take itself too seriously. This film could've benefited from another character like him. Still, this sequel boasts a bigger - and bloodier - body count, which ought to count for something when drawing comparisons.

EXTRA KIBBLES:

FEATURETTES: “Bringing Zombies to Life”; “Making the Weapons”; “Who Are Chase Carter, Jill Ekland, Jordan Blair and Sandra Love?”

Free Sheet of Zombie Tattoos

KITTY CONSENSUS:

NOT BAD...LIKE CAT CHOW

Blu-Ray News: MORGAN Bonus Clip (Arrives 12/13 on 4K/BD/DVD)

From Oscar-Nominated Producer Ridley Scott and Director Luke Scott (making his feature directorial debut) comes the sci-fi thriller Morgan arriving on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray & DVD 12/13 and out now on Digital HD featuring the all-star cast Kate Mara, Paul Giamatti, Toby Jones, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Rose Leslie and Anya Taylor-Joy! Special Features include, "Modified Organism: The Science Behind Morgan," Deleted Scenes, Luke's short film Loom (precursor to Morgan shot on 4K 3D) and more!

Bonus Clip: Modified Organism - The Science Behind Morgan - Self Improvers

 

Blu-Ray Review: JASON BOURNE

Starring Matt Damon, Tommy Lee Jones, Alicia Vikander, Vincent Cassel, Julia Styles, Riz Ahmed, Ato Essandoh. Directed by Paul Greengrass. (2016, 123 min).

UNIVERSAL

Of all the classic Looney Tunes characters, Wile E. Coyote has always been my favorite. His entire existence is an exercise in futility. No matter how carefully laid-out his plans are - and how much business he throws ACME's way – they blow up in his face every time. Yet he always remains hopelessly optimistic that he'll finally nab the Road Runner next time.

What makes those old Road Runner cartoons great is every single one of them has the exact same plot and Wile E. Coyote's catastrophic failure is never in doubt. I also think there are times in life when we can all relate to him.

Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) is sort of the anti-Coyote. Right from the get-go, Bourne has been a one-man wrecking crew throughout four movies. With fists, feet & firearms, he's killed enough people to fill Arlington National Cemetery. He handles a vehicle like Joey Chitwood, is more tech-savvy than an entire Geek Squad and can predict his enemies' next moves with the accuracy of Kreskin. He's survived gunshots, stabbings, beatings, explosions, drownings, snipers, car crashes and falls with just a few cuts & scars to show for it.

"We gotta hurry. I just snatched a Snickers from that newsstand."

Even John McClane and James Bond appear vulnerable on occasion. But Jason Bourne's methodical brand of ass-kicking always removes any doubt who's gonna be left standing two-hours later. This generally tends to lesson the suspense of these films, but just like we're 100% certain Wile E. Coyote will blow himself up, the fun is seeing how it happens.

So here we are...Jason Bourne, Damon's fourth go-round as a former CIA assassin. Ten years later, his memory is pretty-much restored and he tries to remain off the grid, participating in illegal fighting matches for cash. After Nicky Parsons (Julia Styles) hacks the CIA and uncovers plans for yet-another nefarious operation (this time called “Iron Hand”), she tracks him down for help in exposing their plans. Once again, Bourne must elude his former employers while turning the tables on them. There are new baddies this time, including Tommy Lee Jones, suitably ruthless as CIA director Dewey, and a vengeful Treadstone assassin simply known as The Asset. Still, their mission remains the same (and as futile as Wile E. Coyote's): find and kill Jason Bourne.

In other words, it's more-or-less business as usual for the Bourne franchise, another chapter in what's essentially been the same story, with perhaps more vehicular mayhem than usual, at least one surprising death and a plot revelation that involves Jason's long-dead father.

"Jesus...I'm lactating!"

While some will argue that the Bourne saga was nicely wrapped up after three films and Jason Bourne offers nothing new, the same could have been said about Road Runner cartoons, yet Chuck Jones made dozens and every one of them is funny as hell. Besides, with Damon's return to the franchise and Paul Greengrass back in the director's chair, at the very least, we know what we're getting: a smart, fast-paced film filled with tech-terror, double-crosses, harrowing chases and, of course, Bourne beating the shit out of anyone dumb enough to think they can catch the Road Runner.

If you ask me, that's more than enough to justify Jason Bourne's existence. Who cares whether or not it was necessary? Hell, I hope they make a sixth one because, like laughing while Wile E. Coyote plummets into yet-another canyon, watching Bourne at work is still a lot of fun.

EXTRA KIBBLES:

FEATURETTES (mostly focused on the many action sequences):

“Bringing Back Matt Damon as Bourne”; “Bare-Knuckle Boxing”; “Close Quarters Combat”; “Underground Rumble”; “The Athens Escape”; “Convention Chaos; “Shutting Down the Las Vegas Strip”.

4K ULTRA HD (not reviewed) and DIGITAL COPIES.

KITTY CONSENSUS:

PURR-R-R...LIKE A GOOD SCRATCH BEHIND THE EARS

Rest in Peace, Don Calfa

Don Calfa (1939-2016)

DVD Giveaway: DUCK DYNASTY SEASON 10

Free Kittens Movie Guide and Lionsgate are giving away a DVD copy!

Catch up with the Robertson family’s wildly hilarious Southern antics when the latest installment of the highest-rated nonfiction series on cable, Duck Dynasty: Season 10, arrives on DVD December 13 from Lionsgate. Chock full of Robertson shenanigans, the season 10 DVD set includes all 14 episodes on 3 DVDs plus never-before-seen-on-TV deleted scenes! Duck Dynasty: Season 10 will keep you in stitches from beginning to end when it arrives on DVD for the suggested retail price of $19.98.

This season, DUCK DYNASTY follows the Robertson family as they conquer new milestones while showcasing their down-home Southern charm. Willie and Korie celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary as well as introduce fans to their newly adopted son, Rowdy. Additionally, Jase’s son Reed surprises his girlfriend with a marriage proposal in New York City, Si goes to court to fight a parking ticket, Sadie checks out colleges, and the family pulls together when a storm hits West Monroe.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES

·       “Si and Order” Deleted Scene

·       “Si the Inventor” Deleted Scene

·       “The Robertson’s Best Shot” Deleted Scene 

TO ENTER: SIMPLY SHOOT US A MESSAGE BY FILLING OUT THE KITTY KONTACT FORM NEAR THE TOP OF OUR SIDEBAR. THE WINNER WILL BE NOTIFIED BY E-MAIL ON 12/19.

Movie News: THE MUMMY (2017) Teaser Trailer

Tom Cruise headlines a spectacular, all-new cinematic version of the legend that has fascinated cultures all over the world since the dawn of civilization: The Mummy.

Thought safely entombed in a tomb deep beneath the unforgiving desert, an ancient princess (Sofia Boutella of Kingsman: The Secret Service and Star Trek Beyond) whose destiny was unjustly taken from her is awakened in our current day, bringing with her malevolence grown over millennia and terrors that defy human comprehension.

From the sweeping sands of the Middle East through hidden labyrinths under modern-day London, The Mummy brings a surprising intensity and balance of wonder and thrills in an imaginative new take that ushers in a new world of gods and monsters.

Cruise is joined by a cast including Annabelle Wallis (upcoming King Arthur, television’s Peaky Blinders), Jake Johnson (Jurassic World), Courtney B. Vance (TV’s American Crime Story: The People V. O.J. Simpson) and Oscar winner Russell Crowe (Gladiator).

The creative team on this action-adventure event is led by director/producer Alex Kurtzman and producer Chris Morgan, who have been instrumental in growing some of the most successful franchises of the past several years—with Kurtzman writing or producing entries in the Transformers, Star Trek and Mission: Impossible series, and Morgan being the narrative engineer of the Fast & Furious saga as it has experienced explosive growth from its third chapter on. Sean Daniel, who produced the most recent Mummy trilogy, produces alongside Kurtzman and Morgan. 

TEASER TRAILER: